Focus, determination boost long jumper Torres to the top

Marestella Torres said that focus and determination are the reasons why she remains Southeast Asian Games’ long jump queen. "I just focused competing on my events. Everything that comes outside of that is just a bonus," said Torres in Filipino after her record-breaking leap to clinch the women’s long jump gold in the 26th SEA Games Saturday at the Jakabaring Sports City in Palembang, Indonesia. She said the record she set was something she did not expect in these games. "Before the games I am expect to leap in the 6.30-meter range. That’s why I am not that confident." Torres leapt a distance of 6.71 meters in her third attempt to run away with the gold, shoving Indonesia’s Maria Londa to the silver with a best-effort 6.47m. Another Filipino, Katherine Khay Santos, showed promise by settling for the bronze leaping a distance of 6.25s. Torres also holds the previous meet record of 6.68m which she booked in Laos in 2009. The pride of San Jose, Negros Oriental, has cemented further her title as long jump queen of the SEA Games, a reputation her predecessor, Elma Muros Posadas, owned for more than 10 editions of the games. Torres and the rest of the national track and field team had serious concerns on their training facility before the games because the Rizal Memorial Stadium was transformed into an official football pitch that favored the popular Azkals. "The team’s jumpers and throwers had to train elsewhere. I trained in Dumaguete and Baguio," she said. Torres was close to breaking 6.68 with 6.65 in her first of six attempts. Those numbers were already enough to win her the gold as Londa could only muster 6.47 and first-timer Santos a 6.25. But Torres persevered. "I want to finish all of my jumps. It is sort of respecting the efforts given by my opponents," she said. After the Physical Education graduate from Far Eastern University fouled on her next attempt, she managed to recover and went for the record in the next. She also fouled on the fourth and fifth attempts and made a good jump on her last. — JVP, GMA News