Filipinos vow six-gold sweep in ‘obstacle’ sports

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine obstacle sports athletes who will vie in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in November are facing a pretty huge task – win all six gold medals disputed at the Clark Global City in Pampanga.

Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF) head Al Agra said it can be done.

“We will strive for six gold medals. That’s the commitment. We are ready,” said Agra.

The 20 members of the POSF pool were introduced to the press yesterday at the Pretty Huge Obstacles at SM Aura, which will serve as their training headquarters for the SEA Games.

The athletes will go through four qualifying events in March, May, July and September, to determine the final team to the SEA Games, which will offer two golds in the 100-meter individual, another two in the 5K individual and two more in the 400-meter team (team assist and relay).

 “We will field the best team,” Agra said during the press conference graced by World OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) president Ian Adamson, Pretty Huge Obstacles brass Mike Yung, Ritsuo Arao and Charz Kelso, brand ambassador Noel Agra and Vargas.

The members of the pool are Jeffrey Reginio, Manolito Divina, Nathaniel Sanchez, Vernier Miranda, Sarah Jane Lim, Chrystalle Joan Omaga, Kaizen dela Serna and Juvelle Pua for Tier 1, Alex Gabriel Rosario, Mervin Santiago, Racky Madorable, Kyle Antolin, Glorien Merisco, Anne Kathleen Santos, Rochelle Suarez and Klymille Rodriguez for Tier 2, and Jose Mari de Castro Jr., Mark Rodelas, Ali Chongbian and Milky Tejares for Tier 3.

Members of Tier 1 are leaving for Colorado next week to train at the USA Olympic Training Center. Four-time Olympian Rob Stull, who represented the US in modern pentathlon and fencing, paved the way for the training of the Filipino athletes in Colorado.

“The support that the NSA has been giving us is amazing. We are so passionate to represent the Philippines,” said Lim.

Agra said athletes from Malaysia and Singapore could provide them the stiffest challenge.

“We are closely monitoring our fellow athletes from these countries. We are up to the challenge,” he said.