Athletics sees 10 golds in Laos SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines - A harvest of seven to 10 gold medals is what Filipino track and field athletes will be targeting in the coming 25th Southeast Asian Games this December in Laos.

National coaches Sean Guevarra and Roselyn Hamero said the Filipino runners, jumpers and throwers are capable of retaining the five gold medals they won two years ago in Thailand.

With a few more coming from the 2007 silver medalists as well as non-medalists who had improved on their performances of late, the target is realistic, the coaches said during Friday’s SCOOP session at the Kamayan Restaurant.

The country’s five-gold medal haul in 2007 came from Henry Dagmil (long jump), Arnel Ferrera (hammer throw), Rene Herrera (3000-meter steeplechase), Julius Nierras (400 meters) and Maristela Torres (long jump).

Hamero, who like Guevarra also carried the Philippine’s colors in many international competitions, said the 2007 Thailand SEA Games participants – Julius Sermona in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, Mary Grace Milgar in the 400 hurdles, Rose Villarito in javelin throw, Danilo Fresnido in javelin, Deborah Samson in pole vault and Midel Dique in 800 meters -– are also capable of translating their wares to gold.