MANILA – It was another strong showing for national steeplechasers Junel Gobothia and Jessa Mae Roda as both athletes retained their titles at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
Gobothia took control in the closing stages of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, breaking away in the final three laps to win in 9:08.35.
Roda, meanwhile, delivered a well-timed surge in the last 100 meters to edge teammate Edna Magtubo and secure the women’s crown in 10:38.57.
Both champions improved on their previous outing at the New Taipei City Athletics Open, where Gobothia earned silver in 9:15.39 and Roda finished fifth in 11:18.86.
Far Eastern University athlete Rica Balderama also impressed, recording a personal best of 5.89 meters in the women’s long jump, though she narrowly missed her six-meter target.
Gobothia said the result was encouraging as he and coach Vertek Buenavista continue their push toward the Asian Games qualifying mark of 8:36.57.
Buenavista, a former SEA Games champion, said he plans to recommend both Gobothia and Roda for possible inclusion in the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September.
Roda said she waited for the right moment before launching her final kick past Magtubo to secure another gold medal in the national meet.
Balderama expressed mixed emotions after failing to hit the 6.30-meter qualifying standard for the Asian U23 Championships in Ordos, China, but remained satisfied with defending her national title.
Singapore’s Enya Chee won silver with 5.79 meters, while Malaysia’s Aliya Nasaruddin took bronze with 5.76 meters.
ia/xf
