Lavandia, Obiena hit gold; Elma quits

KITAKAMI CITY, Japan – Erlinda Lavandia and Emerson Obiena made up for the sudden withdrawal of former Asian long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas due to injury, winning the first two gold medals for the Philippine Masters team in the 18th Asia Masters Athletics Championships last Monday.

Lavandia topped the javelin throw event for women’s 60-64-years-old section with a 30.05-meter throw to beat Kato Keiko (28.76m) and Ota Tokiko (26.44m), both of Japan.

She, however, did not attempt to break the record she established in the 2013 edition of the Games in Taipei, though.

Obiena also ruled the men’s pole vault event for men’s 45-years old category. He leaped 4 meters to beat Higashino Makoto of Japan (3.8m) and another Japanese in Fukaya Eiji (3.2m).

John Lozada took the bronze medal in the 800-m race with a 2:18.08 clocking, behind gold medal winner Namekawa Yuji (2:08.48) and Koji Kashima (2:10.08), both from Japan.

Muros-Posadas suffered an injury in her first attempt in her pet long jump.

She also got injured last year when she competed in the hurdles and had to stop while she was leading the race.

The team made it here through the efforts of the late Manny Ibay, former president of the Philippine Masters Association, who built this squad through the support of El Lobo Energy Drink, San Miguel Corp., Petron, Sportscore, L-Time Studio, Soma, Accel , PCSO, PSC and POC.

Aside from the two gold medals, Team Phl also has two silver and three bronze medals.