Torres back in training for Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines - Comebacking Marestella Torres is out to regain her old, gold medal-winning form as she tries to re-claim her spot in the national team bound for the 17th Asian Games slated Sept. 19-Oct. 4 in Incheon, South Korea later this year.

Torres, a former Olympian and SEA Games long jump gold medalist, made known her desire to return to action after giving birth last month. She missed last December’s SEAG in Myanmar but her personal best 6.71 meters remains untouched.

But the 32-year-old Torres will need to work double time to meet the Asiad Task Force’s standards although Asiad chief of mission and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia believes the former long-jump queen will regain her old form in time.

“She (Torres) has a lot of catching up to do, but there are long jumpers who can get back to competitive form. Given the time. I am sure she will do well,” said Garcia.

For Torres to regain her spot in the national team, she will have to come up with a current time that should be at least inside the top eight in Asia based on the standard set up by the Task Force for non-subjective sports.

Torres, also a World Championship veteran, placed fourth in the 2002 Asian Championships and won a silver medal in the 2005 Asian Championship. 

Torres also vied in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics and posted a 6.51-meter jump in the 2009 Asian Championships before coming through with that 6.71 in the Indonesia SEA Games.

Torres is eyeing to return to training camp in Baguio City where husband and national thrower Eliazar Sunang is also training.  She is also set to see action in this year’s Phl National Games in Manila.