RP tracksters match ’08 finish in Thai Open

MANILA, Philippines – Long distance runner Julius Sermona took the bronze in the 5000m run to duplicate their previous showing in the 2009 Thailand Open Track and Field Championships which ended Wednesday at the Thammasat University Stadium. The seven-member RP squad ended the four-day event with a gold, a silver and two bronze medals which was the same output by the national delegation in the 2008 edition. Sermona, a former marathon champion, clocked in 15 minutes and 16.12 seconds losing the silver to Thailand’s Boonthung Srisang by less than one second (15:15.18). The gold went to Chinese Taipei’s Wu Wen-chien (15:10.42). Southeast Asian Games hammer throw record holder Arniel Ferrera took the lone gold in his pet event with a 56.70-meter distance. Compatrtiot Danilo Fresnido won the silver in javelin throw with a 63.36m mark. Eleazer Sunang brought the other bronze medal in shotput with a throw of 15.64m. Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok praised the RP team’s performance as they prepare for the National Open Invitational set in the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan from May 10 to 12. “I expect our athletes to be tested since the competition is high with the participation of 12 countries," said Go. Thailand swept the men’s division with the Royal Thai Army collecting 239 points to dominate the tournament. The Royal Thai Navy (120) and the Royal Thai Police (85) placed second and third, respectively. – GMANews.TV