Fresnido cops Phl 3rd Asia Masters gold

MANILA, Philippines - Danilo Fresnido closed out Team Philippines’ campaign in the 18th Asia Masters Athletics Championships with a victory in javelin throw, delivering the country’s third gold in record fashion in Kitakami, Japan last Tuesday.

Fresnido set a new Asian Masters record with a heave of 60.48 meters in the 40-years-old division, complementing the first gold medal won by Erlinda Lavandia, also in javelin for 60-64 years-old last Monday.

Emerson Obiena also won a gold in the 45-year old men’s pole vault event.

The three-gold haul thus matched the target set by the lean squad of 22 athletes whose campaign was backed by El Lobo Energy Drink, San Miguel Corporation, Petron, Sportscore, L-Time Studio, Soma, Accel , PCSO, PSC and POC.

The silver medal winners were Victorina Calma, Len Punelas, Salve Bayaban and Jeanette Obiena in the 4x100 meters (W-40) and John Lozada, Julio Bayaban, Emerson Obiena and Edward Kho in the 4x400 meters.

The team also won two silver and five bronze medals.

Meanwhile, team leaders Ariel Paredes and Paul Ycasas dedicated their performance to the departed Manny Ibay, who led the National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines (NMSAAP) to new heights before his demise.