With only a month left before the Olympic qualifying season begins, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) President Terry Capistrano is looking forward to see Filipino national athletes make their presence felt in three upcoming Olympic qualifying tournaments. 

Expected to lead the PH campaign are Asian No. 1 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, Southeast Asia’s long jump king Janry Ubas and six-time 400-m hurdle SEA Games gold medalist Eric Cray.

The three, along with other Filipino hopefuls, will vie in the Asian Athletics Championships on July 12 to 16 in Pattaya, Thailand, and the World Athletics Championships on Aug. 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary before seeing action in the 19th Asian Games on Sept.  23 to Oct. 8.

These tournaments are all Olympic qualifying events since the qualification for the 2024 Paris Games will start on July 1 this year up to June 30 next year. 

 “They will lead the Philippine team at the start of the Olympic qualifying season after winning gold medals in the last Cambodia SEA Games,” said Capistrano, who is nearing his first year as athletics chief since taking over from Philip Ella Juico.

Obiena won the SEAG gold in style, breaking his own mark not only once but thrice.

With their impressive showing in the SEA Games, Capistrano is inclined to send at least 20 to 25 athletes in the Asian Games, but it all depends on their performances in the Asian Championships and even possibly the World Championships. 

“I believe in my athletes because all of them are pursuing goals beyond the regional SEA Games as they aim to improve their craft,” he said. “They are aware that they have to perform well. That’s why they keep on training hard.”

The Philippine athletics team collected four gold medals, 10 silvers and eight bronzes in in the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games. 

Likely to compete in the Asian Championships and Asian Games this year are SEAG silver medal winners Umajesty Williams (400-m) and Sonny Montonegro Wagdos (5,000-m), Joida Gagnao (3,000-m steeplechase), Gennah Malapit (javelin throw) and Sarah Dequinan (heptathlon). 

Tokyo Olympian Kristina Knott, Kayla Richardson and thrower William Morrison didn’t perform well in the last biennial meet but vowed to make amends.