KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A Bacolod City native copped the country’s third gold medal in record-setting fashion in the 2018 ASEAN Schools Games.
The 17-year-old Ann Katherine Quitoy recorded 49.18 meters to set a new mark in javelin and secure the third gold medal for Team Philippines Sunday afternoon at the Mini-Stadium of the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.
Quitoy shattered Malaysia's Devi Jayaindran Pavithraa 46.04m record set last year in Singapore.
Wnnng the silver medal was Klinla-Or Supisara of Thailand with a throw of 47.89m while Firliana Yuni Fira of Indonesia took the bronze with a throw of 43.35m.
Quitoy achieved the remarkable feat three months after she shattered the secondary girls record of the same event during the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Iloilo thrower James Lozanes also broke the boys javelin record in toppng last year’s edition of ASG in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Jessel D. Lumapas, 2018 Palarong Pambansa most outstanding athlete in athletics, ruled the girls 400m run after clocking in 57.46 seconds. It was the coutry's fourth gold in the meet thus far.
Pratike Rawiwan of Thailand settled for silver after she timed 57.10 seconds while Maulidah of Indonesia took the bronze with a time of 57.54 seconds.
Lumapas almost didn't make it to her event after missing the bus that would have transported her to the playing venue.
Luckily, several Department of Education personnel were there at the hotel where the athletics teams are billeted.
DepEd staff Marivic Tolitol said she was approached by Lumpas, informing her that she missed the bus.
"She (Lumapas) said there was a change of schedule for her event. She was advised that the girls javelin throw event will be played by 2:15 p.m. But our Liason officer assisted her to board the next bus," Tolitol said.
Philippines Chef-De-Mission (CDM) Rizalino Jose Rosales said that Lumapas' late arrival was a premonition that she will win a gold medal.
"It was meant for her," Rosales said in the vernacular.
He, however, stressed that the athletes should be more conscious with the time of their events to avoid similar cases to happen again in the next days. (PR)