Philippine national athletics coach Sean Guevara sees new Philippine high jump record holder Leonard Grospe surpassing his career best in two years.
The owner of the 18-year record shattered by Grospe during the 2023 Philippine National Games at the Philsports Complex last Wednesday believes he can reach at least 2.25 meters.
“Based on our tests, his capacity should be able to reach 2.25m. Realistically, one or two years from now, he can reach it as long as there aren’t any injuries or untoward incidents,” Guevara said.
The Mapua University star reset the 2.17m national record by Guevara in 2005 with a 2.20m reach to win gold.
He broke the record in an earlier jump before smashing it again in his best run.
Guevara said that he wanted Grospe to rewrite the national standard.
“Usually, when he’s at the record-breaking height, his approach becomes different so that’s what we needed to break first. He had to focus on his rhythm and approach,” Guevara said.
“If he can do that, his takeoff will be good and he will be able to execute it.”
The 22-year-old national team member did the feat despite coming off a fever a week before the tournament.
“I didn’t expect I would get it since I was just coming off from a fever but my condition felt great at that time,” he said.
Grospe now wants to focus on getting stronger and better to be able to bring honor to the country in various international stints such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and someday the Olympics.
“The way Coach Sean told us the things he went through, motivated me. I wanted to surpass my limits and I want to thank Coach Sean for it,” Grospe said.
“My dream is to be a world-class athlete that will wave our flag high. I still need to prove myself more. I need to push myself more to stay motivated.”
