Atienza joins double-gold stars

Narcisa Atienza yesterday dished out a performance good enough for a SEA Games medal.

The 24-year-old athlete from Batangas won the gold medal in women’s heptathlon of the National Open track and field championships then declared her readiness for the 23rd SEA Games in November.

"Sana maka-medal na ako sa SEA Games," said Atienza whose winning effort, a personal best 5,032 points, was better than the 4,900 a Vietnamese athlete had in winning the silver in the 2003 Vietnam SEAG.

The Thai gold medalist in Vietnam had 5,200 points. Atienza placed fourth that time.

Atienza, who won the high jump gold in record fashion last Thursday, also won the heptathlon gold in last year’s National Open with her 4,400 points. She credited her good showing to her big improvement in the running events.

"Parang sarili ko na lang ang kalaban ko kanina. Kaya nag-concentrate ako sa personal record ko," said Atienza, who was way off the RP record of 5,346 set by Elma Muros during the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

Maricris Labaguez of the Air Force took the silver with 3,342 points while teammate Marriz Cotoner brought home the bronze with 3,342 points.

Also winning a second gold yesterday was John Lozada, who ruled the men’s 1,500-m with a time of 3:57.68. It was way off the RP record of 3:49.00 established by Hector Begeo during the 1993 SEA Games in Siongapore.

The silver went to Nelbert Ducusin of FEU (3:58.94) while the bronze went to Edison Manansala at 4:02.29. Lozada took his first gold of the meet in Friday’s 800-m run.

Ralph Waldo Soguillon, winner of the men’s century dash last Thursday, added the 4x400-m gold to his collection yesterday after settling for the silver in the 200-m in 21.55 seconds.

Thailand‘s Sittichai Suwonprateep, the silver medalist in Vietnam, took the 200-m gold with a time of 21.27 seconds. His compatriot, Ekkachai Janthana, got the bronze at 21.59.

Aside from Atienza, Lozada and Soquillon, the only double gold winners this year were Mercedita Manipol in the women’s 10,000-m and 5,000-m races, and Arnel Ferrer in men’s hammer and discus throw.