Fil-Am shot put ace well on target for Tokyo Games

MANILA, Philippines — Fil-Am shot put specialist William Morrison III is upbeat about his chances to make the grade and join pole vaulter EJ Obiena in the Philippine team to the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics next year.

Morrison, a redshirt senior at Indiana U who made a record-setting triumph in his Southeast Asian Games debut last December, said he’s on track for the 21.10-meter qualifying standard, having already breached the 20-m mark.

“Through all my highs and lows of college track and field, I have never lost sight of hitting the Olympic standard,” the Fil-Am Olympic prospect told The STAR.

“I have never worked harder in my life than the past few years and honestly, it’s a blessing in disguise that all athletes around the globe are getting a whole extra year to train for the Olympics,” he added.

Morrison hurled 20.21m in the Meyo Invitational in Notre Dame, Indiana last February, marking a new personal best in indoor play. He previously threw 20.40m in Bloomington, Indiana in June 2019 – a personal mark in outdoor competitions.

The Philippine ace born in Leavenworth, Kansas will have until the end of June next year to improve and meet the entry standard. According to World Athletics, subject to the global situation returning to normal, the new qualification period will be from Dec. 1, 2020 to June 29, 2021.

“I currently have a PB of 20.40m for outdoor and 20.21 for indoor shot put. This was my first year hitting a new best with the indoor shot put since setting it back during my sophomore year in 2017. With the work I was putting in the past few years and even this year, I have no doubt I’ll be able to hit the mark,” said.

He said after taking the spring season off, he’s finally able to get into training again.

“It just feels good to be moving my body,” said Morrison of his pre-season training at the time of COVID-19.

So far, Obiena is the lone bet from track and field to qualify for the Olympiad. Italy-based Obiena is in the company of gymnast Caloy Yulo and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno.

Aside from Morrison, Olympian hurdles specialist Eric Cray, sprinter Kristina Knott, and pole vaulter Natalie Uy are also aspiring for berths to Tokyo.