By MARK REY MONTEJO
Olympic hopefuls Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang spearhead a strong cast competing in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the PhilSports Track and Field Oval in Pasig City on May 8 to 12.
The Fil-American Hoffman, who has broken national records multiple times in the hurdles just this year, and Cabang, who competed in the World Indoor Championships, will join fellow elite athletes like Asian champion Robyn Brown, Tokyo Olympian Kristina Knott, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Eric Cray and Janry Ubas in the five-day tournament which offers Olympic ranking points from World Athletics essential to their respective Paris Games campaigns.
There are two pathways to Paris: meeting the Olympic standard the way pole vaulter EJ Obiena earned his ticket, or making into the Top 40 of the rankings.
Obiena is skipping the event as he is currently training abroad.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) secretary general Jasper Tanhueco also said the event, which is under Category B in the global World Athletics calendar, also hopes to draw aspiring national athletes in going up against their elite counterparts.
“Ang goal po natin is marami po sanang mag-qualify [for Paris]. We’ll be having in the future like special tryouts para makita po ‘tong mga young guns na ito, especially ‘yong mga homegrown athletes,” Tanhuenco said on PSA Tuesday’s Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/Smart, MILO, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines.
Rising stars Angel Frank and Victoria Bosong are also joining along with Fil-heritage bets from the United States, Japan and Guam.
The competition will be divided into three categories: Elite/Open (men’s and women’s) for athletes aged 20 years old and above, Under-20 (Boys and girls) for athletes between 19 and 18 years old, and Under-18 (Boys and girls) for 17 years old and below.
More than 700 local and international athletes are expected to participate, including runners from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
The registration for participants will last until April 30.
