REYNALD MAGALLON

ILAGAN CITY – Natalie Uy fought off the sweltering summer heat, jet lag and the spirited challenge from her rivals to reaffirm her status as the country’s pole vault queen in the ICSTI Philippine Athletics Championship Friday, March 25, at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here.

The charming 28-year-old Uy was obviously far from her best form, but her effort of 3.85 meters was enough to win the gold as she outclassed Alyana Nicolas (3.70m) and Jiamari Kawachi (3.30m).

Her winning jump, however, was way off her national record of 4:30m she set three years ago in Greenville, North Carolina – a feat that bettered her SEAG mark of 4.25m during the 2019 edition in Tarlac.

But it was understandable as this was her first competition in four months’ span.

And because of rustiness, she needed a third attempt to clear 3.70m – a height which Nicolas cleared on her second attempt.

She then opted to pass on her last attempt on the 3.80m mark before raising the bar higher to 3.85m. Nicolas failed to clear the 3.80m while Uy made a huge leap after completing her 3.85 jump to retain her title.

Uy tried to go for the tournament record of 4.05m but failed.

Uy said, apart from the tough challenge put up by her opponents, the competition was more of a mental game for her.

“Tough. It was tough with harsh conditions being so hot and so early. I’m coming off an injury so it’s just getting in the mental game. The most mentally tough that it’s been in a while. I’m glad for fighting through but it was difficult,” said Uy.

“Just very mentally tough and there’s a lot of pressure coming from the states to come across the world and to compete with the jetlag and the weird timing and everything so it’s mentally tough,” she added.

Meanwhile, national team mainstay Aira Teodosio also showed her might in her pet event hammer throw heaving a 45.45m to bag her second gold in the trackfest after also winning the discus throw gold and shot put bronze.

Sonny Wagdos also edged Richard Salano by a hairline to win the 5000m gold. He clocked 14:56.98 seconds, just 0.1 second clear of Salano’s 14.57.11s record.

Elsewhere, the 100m showdown between PH track stars Kristina Knott and Kayla Richardson in the finals won’t happen anymore after the latter appeared to have suffered right quad issues during the qualifying round.

Richardson missed out the cut after she  finished her race in 16.60s while Knot topped all qualified sprinters with a time of 11.25s