By MARK REY MONTEJO
Sonny Wagdos, Janry Ubas and Hussein Loraña delivered the final blows for Team Philippines at the conclusion of the 2024 Taiwan Athletics Open over the weekend.
Wagdos took the bronze medal in the men’s 5000m event where he crossed the line in 14 minutes and 36.79 seconds. Vietnam’s Trung Cuong (14:18.03) secured the gold while Indonesia’s Robi Syianturi (14:25.57) bagged the silver.
The 30-year-old pride of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur snagged his first bronze in men’s 1500m where he clocked his personal and season-best of 3 minutes and 51.50 seconds.
In men’s long jump, Ubas settled for bronze as well after listing 7.44 meters just behind Taiwanese Yu Tang Lin (7.53) and Japanese Hibiki Tsuha (7.52), who reaped the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Ubas, a SEAG multi-champion, is still hopeful to enter the Paris Games but he must reach or surpass the Olympic standard of 8.27m to earn his ticket.
Meanwhile, Loraña also went home with bronze as he timed in 1 minute and 51.37 seconds to complete the men’s 800 meters podium behind Indian bets Ankesh Choudhary (1:50.63) and Somnath Chouhan (1:50.88).
The national team’s campaign was highlighted by Michael del Prado’s silver triumph in the men’s 400m on the opening day.
In the women’s 3000m Steeplechase, Joida Gagnao added a bronze for a six-medal finish of the Philippines in the tournament
