Makalalaro pa rin si Marestella Torres-Sunang kahit wala na ang “universiality card”.
Ipinarating ni Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico kay Rio Olympics Chef de Mission Jose Romasanta na kuwalipikado ang Sea Games long jump record holder nang makalusot sa isinagawang qualifying event sa Kazakhstan.
Ayon kay Juico, nalampasan ng 35-anyos na pambato ng San Jose, Negros Occidental, ang Olympic standard nang makalundag sa layong 6.72 meter – personal best at lagpas sa SEA games standard na 6.69 na naitala mismo ni Torres.
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“I just talked to Marestella Torres-Sunang and she did 6.72 meters in Kazakhstan Open to qualify for the Rio Olympics. It was her sixth and last jump in windy conditions compounded by continuous rains. She fouled in her fourth and fifth jumps,” ayon sa text message ni Juico kay Romasanta.
“IAAF will have to officially certify her having made the standard. In qualifying, Marestella won her 3rd gold medal, one in Kyrgyzstan (6.47 m) and her second gold in Kosanov Memorial in Kazaskhstan (6.52 m). Maristella is now ranked 28th in the world,” sambit ni Juico
Bunsod nito, si Torres, nalaglag sa team matapos makapasok si marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, ang ikatlong atleta sa athletics na nakapasok sa Rio Games na nakatakda sa Agosto 5-21. Naunang nakasungkit ng puwesto si Fil-Am Eric Cray sa 400-meter hurdles.
“It is our hoped that EJ Obiena also makes it,” sambit ni Juico. (Angie Oredo)
