Torres golden leap breaks RP drought

MANILA, Philippines - Marestella Torres became the first Filipino in 22 years to win a gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championships when she ruled the women’s long jump event at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China Tuesday.

Torres, the reigning SEA Games champion, leapt to 6.51 meters, beating a strong field of rivals, which included world No. 9 Chen Ya Ling of China, who settled for second with 6.28 meters.

Japanese Masumi Sachiko took the bronze at 6.28m.

“This is my season’s best although this is just a warm-up for the Southeast Asian Games in Laos next month,” said Torres.

Torres had earlier won the bronze medal at the 2002 Asian Championships, finished fourth at the 2002 Asian Championships and won the 2005 Asian Championships title. She also competed in the 2005 World Championships but failed to reach the final.

Torres’ win was a big boost for RP athletics, which last won in this level of competition in 1987 when former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado swept the sprint events in the 13th edition of the annual event in Singapore.

“I thank Marestella for her feat which, once again, proved that we can look forward to better things in Laos,” said athletics chief Go Teng Kok.

So impressive was Torres’ performance that the Chinese coach conceded the gold after the Filipino’s third jump.

“Your athlete is very, very good. Take good care of her. She is a world-class athlete. She has a strong potential for the next Olympics,” said athletics coach Joseph Sy, quoting the Chinese coach.