Candelario off to flying start

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Filipino Ernie Candelario poured everything he’s got on the final bend and advanced to the men’s 400 finals Friday at the start of the 14th Asian Athletic Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium here.

Barely recovered from a bout with flu two weeks ago, Candelario landed fourth in heat 2 of the semifinals to figure in the eight-man cast that would vie for medals at 4:50 p.m. (6:30 p.m. in Manila) Saturday.

His teammate, Jimat Aying failed to qualify, however, after also placing fourth in the slower heat 1.

The 25-year-old Candelario clocked 46.98 seconds, ranking sixth among the finalists led by Saudi Arabia’s Al Bishi Hamdan (45.82). Aying checked in at 49.50.

"I’m satisfied with my performance. I was able to train for only 12 days and besides the field is really strong," said Candelario, citing the ouster of Asian Grand Prix Manila leg winner Zainal Abidin of Malaysia.

Marathoners Allan Ballester and Roy Vence competed in the 10,000m where they landed seventh and eighth, respectively, among 15 starters.

Ballester, the reigning Milo marathon champion, timed 31 minutes and 18.30 seconds while Vence, the Southeast Asian Games titlist, clocked 32:06.87 in the event ruled by Qatar’s Hashim Ahamed Ibrahim (30:31.5) and Abamed A. Majid (30:33.5)

"Considering that the 10,000m is not their specialty, Allan and Roy gave a good account of themselves," said Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok. "In fact, Allan beat the reigning SEAG champion (Aung Thu Ra of Myanmar)."

Aside from Candelario other Filipinos eyeing medals Saturday afternoon are Narcisa Atienza (high jump), Marestella Torres (pole vault and long jump) Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito (long jump).

Bidding to qualify are Jobert Delicano in the long jump and John Lozada in the 1,500m.

Seeing action Sunday are javelin throwers Geralyn Amandoron and Dandy Gallenero, Fidel Gallenero (100m) and Jimar, Candelario, Rodrigo Tanuan Jr. and Ronnie Marfil in the 4x-400 relay.

Powerhouse China stormed ahead in the medal standings with two golds courtesy of hammer thrower Gu Yuan and discus throwers 1.1Li Yanling Yuan cleared 71.10m to smash her meet mark of 61.86m set in Fukuoka in 1996 and the Asian Continental record of 68.06 held by compatriot Ying Hui Lin in Shanghai last May.

Qatar followed with 1 gold and 1 silver through Ibrahim and Mahid.