Sunang keys Phl golden romp in Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines - Eliezer Sunang shattered an 18-year-old Philippine record in shot put as he spearheaded Phl’s three-gold, two-silver romp in the 18th Vietnam Open International Athletics Tournament at the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Sunang, a find from Tuba, Benguet whose previous best performance was a bronze in the 2007 SEA Games, established a new mark in Phl athletics when he hurled the iron ball to record 16.56 meters.

The 26-year-old Sunang, who bested an Indonesian (15.02m) and Vietnamese (13.55m) rival for the gold, erased the long-standing 15.83m national mark set by Fil-Am Bruce Ventura back on April 16, 1993 at the National Open.

Sunang’s more established teammates, Olympian long jumper Henry Dagmil and javelin thrower Danilo Fresnido, also bagged the gold medals in their respective events.

Dagmil, who has fully recovered from a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago, leapt to 7.58m to lead a 1-2 finish for Team Philippines.

Niño Espinosa was second with 7.42m while a hometown bet placed third with 7.29 m.

Fresnido’s 67m was enough to edge out a Vietnamese rival (66m) for the gold in javelin throw.

Baguio’s long jumper Katherine Santos, 20, added a second silver for the Filipinos as her 5.99m effort was good for a runner-up finish behind the 6.04m of an Indonesian rival.

The Philippines has the chance to hike its medal collection as Jayson Ramil Cid reached the finals of the 400m run and 400m hurdles events while Josie Malacad made it to the women’s 400m hurdles finals.