Danilo Fresnido bags javelin gold in World Masters

MANILA, Philippines — Javelin throw ace Danilo Fresnido delivered the goods as Team Philippines finally struck gold in the 23rd World Masters Athletics Championships at Torremolinos Athletics Track in Malaga, Spain Tuesday.

Fresnido, the current national team coach who also won the world masters title in 2016, saved his best for last and made a golden heave of 63.11 meters to annex the men’s 45-49 division plum.

He beat 23 rivals, including Frenchman Raymond Hecht who took the silver with 62.79m and Finnish Harri Hakkarainen, who bagged the bronze with 60.89m.

Fresnido opened with 59.24m and made 57.78m, 61.08m and 61.98 on his succeeding attempts before logging his best at the finish to nose out closest challenger Hecht, who posted 62.79m on his sixth attempt.

Emerson Obiena, another Phl team coach, complemented Fresnido’s feat with his bronze medal in men’s 50-54 pole vault over at Carranque Sports Center.

Obiena cleared the bar at 4.05 meters to share the podium with British Glyn Price, who had an identical effort. Spaniard Francisco Javier Hernandez and British Mark Johnson logged similar 4.25m to split top honors.

The day’s harvest hiked Team Philippines’ overall collection to one gold and two bronze medals.

Javelin throw legend Erlinda Lavandia earlier gave the Filipinos their first medal in the two-week meet with her podium finish in women’s 60-64 category last Monday.