By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas ace Lanie Carpentero stole thunder in the 2024 ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships with a stunning victory in the javelin throw on Friday, May 10, at the PhilSports Oval in Pasig City.
Unmindful of the bad weather conditions early in the day, Carpentero threw the spear with all her might to beat two fancied rivals, including Malaysian Jing Xuan Ng, a feat that earned her raves from the PH coaching staff.
Carpentero registered 46.49 meters, slightly ahead of the Malaysian who made 45.57m. PH team member Palabrica Evalyn was a disappointed third (45.29m).
What made her victory the more impressive was that she did it without the benefit of a long and rigid training.
“Hindi ko po in-expect na manalo ng gold dito sa National Open, kasi for the past few weeks busy po ako sa acads and di po ako gaanong [natutukan] ‘yong training,” said Carpentero.
“Pero ga-grab ko po ‘yong opportunity if matawag po ako [for national team] and gusto ko pong i-represent ‘tong bansa” she added.
On Thursday evening session, Fil-American William Morrison III became the first double gold medalist of the event he also reigned in shot put and discus throw.
As, expected, Tokyo Olympian Kristina “KK” Knott (23.48secs) topped the 200m while Angel Frank (24.56) took the silver and FilAm Sports’ Danae Manibog (24.72) grabbed the bronze honor.
Marc Brian Louis timed 21.14secs to win the gold in the men’s side.
Pasig City bets, UST and University of Baguio topped the 4x400m mixed relay open, U20 and U18, respectively.
The U18 200m categories saw Starland’s Jeralyn Rodriguez (women’s), DLSU-Zobel’s Pi Durden Wangkay (men’s) winning the gold medals.
UE’s Ralph Lanza and Jeralyn Rodriguez of Starland International School dominated the men’s and women’s 200m (U18).
Meanwhile, Kristina “KK” Knott bettered her own 100m record by clocking 11.20 seconds in one of the heats. She broke the 33-year record of the legendary Lydia de Vega-Mercado of 11.28 secs four years ago when she timed 11.27secs in a Des Moines, USA tournament.
