Bossong brings golden hope

NAGOYA – Much of the focus is on EJ Obiena for Philippine athletics.

But it’s not just about the Asian pole vault king.

There is another solid medal threat in the 24-strong Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association team – middle-distance runner Victoria Bossong, whose personal best could be good for gold in the Asian Games.

The Fil-Am Harvard standout owns a personal best of 1:58.52 set early this year – faster than the Asian Games record of 1:59.02 established by Kazakhstan’s Margarita Mukasheva in the 2014 Incheon Games.

She opens her bid in the 800m with the heats Monday and the final Tuesday at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino has high hopes for a blazing Asiad debut. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio is just as high on the Fil-Am runner – and loves to tell her story.

“Bossong is a wonderful story. She’s being considered by the US team but she wants to compete for the Philippines,” said Gregorio.

Bossong’s mother, Dr. Catalina Atienza, is from Mindoro.

“Three times, she came to us as she really wanted to represent the country. When I saw their papers, I said there’s no need for her to go through the naturalization process, just go through the process of getting a Philippine passport,” Gregorio shared.

Bossong secured her Philippine recognition and certification from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration, and is now set for her first Asiad.

PATAFA chief Terry Capistrano said the team is deeper than just Obiena and Bossong, citing Olympians John Cabang Tolentino (110m hurdles) and Lauren Hoffman (400m hurdles).

“We believe our quality athletes will surprise us. They are really working hard since they arrived here in Nagoya despite the rains. They really conditioned themselves,” said Capistrano, whose team warmed up at the Nippon Sports Science University from Sept. 14 to 20.

On Bossong, Capistrano said: “If she peaks nicely on game day, a podium finish is very likely. Competition is very strong for 800 meters. But I am quite confident she will pull through.”

Besides Obiena, Bossong, Tolentino and Hoffman, the squad is composed of Yacine Guermali (5000m), Sonny Wagdos (5000m, marathon), Richard Solaño and Artjoy Torregosa (marathon), Neil Michael Catral (200m), Anfernee Lopena (100m), Jessica Rose Laurance (women’s 100m), Zion Rose Nelson (100m, 200m), Kristina Marie Knott (relays), Hussein Loraña (800m), Naomi Johnson (200m), Diana Pama (relays), Lanz Arcenal (400m), Michael Carlo del Prado (400m), veterans Janry Ubas (long jump) and Leonard Grospe (high jump), Gabriel Borado (400m), Nathaniel Seiler (marathon race walk), Frederick Ramirez (relays) and Kent Francis Jardin (100m, relays).

“These athletes are all capable of making the final round,” Capistrano said. “Incredibly challenging, so we will take it from there and hopefully podium finishes.”