Uy confident of making grade

MANILA, Philippines — After sealing a Philippine sweep of the Southeast Asian Games pole vault competitions with EJ Obiena, Fil-Am ace Natalie Uy is intent on vaulting into next year’s Tokyo Olympics as well.

The Kentucky-based Uy made a record-breaking triumph in her SEAG debut last year in Clark, where she posted 4.25 meters, complementing Obiena’s feat in the men’s division.

Obiena has secured a ticket to the rescheduled Olympiad already, and Uy wants to follow suit.

“I’m very determined to qualify for the Olympics,” Uy told The STAR.

“I am committed to training as hard as I can for next year and giving it all that I have.”

The 25-year-old pole vault queen needs to hit 4.70m until the end of the new qualification period on June 29, 2021. Uy, whose personal best was 4.30m made in a meet in Spain in 2018, is confident she can make the grade.

“I have about 40 centimeters yet to go in order to reach the qualifying standard. Given the extra time I have to reach it, I fully believe I can achieve it,” she said.

In the meantime, while the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic and competitions are on hold, the 2019 Asian Championships bronze medalist said she’s doing her best to squeeze in training in Kentucky.

“I am doing well despite the coronavirus situation,” she said. “I’m training the most that I can under the current circumstances.”

Aside from Uy, shot put specialist Willie Morrison, sprinter Kristina Knott, and Rio 400m hurdles semifinalist Eric Cray are vying for spots in the Philippine Olympic team.