No stopping 67-year-old javelin thrower from competing

BAGUIO CITY — Erlinda Lavandia, a former Gintong Alay stalwart and Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) javelin queen, remains eager to continue competing even at the age of 67.

"Gusto kong lumaban habang kaya pa. Pero gusto kong umabot sa 80 o’ mahigit pa na sasali sa mga kumpetisyong pampalakasan, (I want to compete while I can. But my dream is to compete in any sports competition until I reach 80 or even more than that),” said Lavandia, a retired cop.

Lavandia grabbed headlines anew after

scooping four gold medals in the Singapore Masters Athletics’ 40th Anniversary Track and Field tourney at Bokit Gombak Stadium on May 2-4.

Lavandia competed in the women’s 65-above category where she ruled her pet javelin throw event with 25.65 meters distance right on her first attempt to handily beat Indonesian Julia Jacob (14.15m), and Sri Lankan pair J.A. Jasmin (12.66m) and E.N.L. Jayanthi (10.45m).

Lavandia also came out with golden performance in the discus, shot put and hammer competitions, feats that cemented her status as the queen of throwing events.

She submitted an 18.99-m in discuss throw to beat Sri Lankan Jasmin (15.38m) and Indonesia Jacob (12.70m), then completed her romp with a 7.25m heave in shot put at the expense of Jacob (5.35m) and finally, the hammer with 20.81m toss.

“I would like to emulate an 80 something pole vaulter and a 70+ runner competing in hurdles,” said Lavandia, who claimed the PHP120,000 incentives given to her by Baguio City.