Athletics’ big guns Obiena, Knott are coming
SIEM REAP—The big guns of athletics, led by Olympians Ernest John Obiena and Kristina Knott, go into action Monday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh with the goal of surpassing the team’s medal haul in the last edition of the biennial meet.
Hoping to eclipse its five-gold, seven-silver and 14-bronze haul in athletics during the Hanoi games, Team Philippines will be led by world no. 3 pole vaulter Obiena, who according to the news wire service Agence FrancePresse is “perhaps the biggest favorite in any athletics event at this games.”
Obiena, who will aim for another stint in the Olympics ( Paris 2024) when the qualifying window opens in July, has a personal best of 5.94 meters. But he doesn’t have to leap that high in these games, where the SEA Games record only stands at just 5.46, which Obiena also owns. “He’s in good spirits kahit pagod sa biyahe,” said Obiena’s father/coach Emerson referring to his son’s 22-hour total journey from Italy. “Katulad nga ng sinabi niya, pupunta siya dito para ‘jump to win’.”
The 27-year-old Tokyo Olympian will be gunning for a third straight pole vault gold at 4:05 p.m. (5:05 in Manila) and maybe, go for the record. But this will all be based on what kind of rhythm Obiena will have on Monday.
“Tignan muna natin kung ano ang magiging position niya, and then we will take it from there,” the older Obiena added.
All eyes will also be on the team’s other athletic stars Knott and reigning fastest woman in Southeast Asia – Kayla Richardson.
The 27-year Knott, for one, has been aching for competition in these games. After becoming the darling of athletics during the 2019 edition of the games in the Philippines, where she bagged two golds (200 and 4x100 mixed relay), including a new games record in the 200, Knott missed the Hanoi games when she tore her left plantar fasciitis.