Lavandia eyes World Masters gold

MANILA, Philippines - After cornering three gold medals in the recent 16th Asia Masters Athletics Championships, Filipino javelin queen Erlinda Lavandia looks forward to bring her wares to next year’s World Masters Championships in Sacramento.

“I will really prepare hard for the tournament because I want to bounce back from my runner-up finish the last time out and regain the gold in javelin,” the 59-year-old Lavandia said in Filipino.

Lavandia had won the top plum previously in 2003 in Puerto Rico and 2005 in Spain but settled for second to American Linda Cohn last year in Finland.

The former police officer showed her readiness to compete in the world meet by pulling off a record-breaking romp in the women’s 55-60 javelin play of the Asian tilt in Malaysia. She also collared the mints in the shot put and discus throw competitions.

Lavandia’s gold medals were complemented by the record-setting victories of pole-vaulters Emerson Obiena and Antonio Chee Jr. and the bronze effort of long jumper Elenita Punelas.

The five-member Phl contingent placed 13th out of 19 nations in the Asian masters.

The Pinoy bets either bankrolled their own trip or got sponsors. In the case of the Lavandia, it was the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines which supported her foray to Malaysia.

“Hopefully we can get funding to go to the World Masters Athletics Championships in Sacramento on July 6-17, 2011, as promised by PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) chairman Richie Garcia,” said Lavandia.

Long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas, a gold medalist in the 2009 world masters trackfest who skipped the Asian tourney due to her commitment with a reality TV show, will rejoin the contingent next year, added Lavandia.