Philippines obstacle course racers eye world records

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine obstacle course racers will try to kill two birds with one stone as it hopes to break the records and rake in the gold medals in next month’s Phnom Penh Southeast Asian Games.

The national team headed by Mark Julius Rodelas, Kaizen dela Serna and Precious Cabuya will try to shatter the Guinness records and World Obstacle records they set in the 100-meter OCR in Arcovia City, Pasig exactly a year ago as they set out on a golden mission in the Cambodian capital.

In Arcovia, Rodelas clocked 27.12 seconds while Dela Serna checked in at 39.42 in besting their European rivals and setting world marks in the OCR 100m, a linear speed course similar to athletics’ 100m dash but only with 12 various obstacles.

And just last March 2, Rodelas did it again by smashing his own record by registering 26.42 seconds.

Dela Serna, along with Cabuya, both timed in 35.42 to likewise set new world marks that same day.

The Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation (POSF), recognized by World Obstacle and both the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, organized these big events.

“In the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, they, together with their compatriots and other Ninjas from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao and Brunei will do their best to stand on the podium and beat these times and set, hopefully, new Guinness records and World Obstacle records,” said POSF president Atty. Al Agra.

The POSF chief moved mountains to make sure the sport is played in the Cambodia SEA Games.

The Filipinos swept all six mints at stake and all their 16 athletes who competed snatched at least a medal apiece when the sport was last calendared in the SEA Games in 2019.

And now they’re set to replicate that feat in Phnom Penh.