Ateneo's Ricaforte breaks 34-year-old Philippine discus record

MANILA, Philippines — There is a reason the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is hot on collegiate star Russel Je Ricaforte’s track.

It was illustrated by the 24-year-old Ateneo standout over the weekend when he shattered the 34-year-old national discus throw record with a spectacular 54.14-meter heave in the PATAFA weekly relays at the PhilSports Arena.

The mark Ricaforte eclipsed was 52.10m recorded by Fidel Repizo in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games that the country hosted.

It was also a throw that surpassed the silver medal standard during the Phnom Penh edition two years ago.

And that is why PATAFA is facilitating Ricaforte’s papers to make his national team entry official.

“He was endorsed last July. They are just completing their requirements to PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) to officially be part of the national team,” PATAFA Secretary-General Jasper Tanhueco told The STAR on Saturday.