U.K. Shyam of Singapore in action at the 2005 SEA Games (© Peh Siong San)
Manila, PhilippinesHost country Philippines began the 2005 South East Asian (SEA) Games athletics competition at the Riza Memorial Track & Field Stadium in Manila on a high note today (27), highlighted by a one-two finish in the women's Long Jump. For its part, Vietnam, increasingly assertive as a regional force in recent years, signalled its intention to dominate the competition with a one-two finish as well - in the women's High Jump.
Torres, Gabito class of the field
For the home crowd, there was plenty to cheer when its duo of Marestella Torres and Lerma Elmira Gabito took the gold and silver respectively in the women's Long Jump. Marestella, who achieved a national record of 6.63m on her way to a silver medal at the Asian Championships in Incheon earlier this year, took the SEA Games gold with her 6.47m effort. Silver medallist Lerma Elmira, who had reached a near-PB of 6.52 this year, had a best of 6.45m today, while the bronze went to Malaysia's Ngew Sin Mei (6.27m). Thailand's Wacharee Rittiwat, who was expected to pose a challenge, had a disappointing outing.
Vietnamese women 1-2 in the High Jump
In the women's High Jump, Vietnam's Bui Thi Nhong and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thy were the leading contenders. They did not disappoint, winning the gold and silver respectively. Bui cleared 1.89m while Nguyen settled for 1.86m. The bronze went to Thailand's Noeng-Ruthai Chaipech (1.83m).
While Thailand and Vietnam are clearly the nations to watch in Southeast Asia's track & field, Malaysia's strength cannot be discounted. Underlying its determination to give the top two nations a fight, it also won a gold medal today to ensure a good start. In the women’s Pole Vault, Rosalinda Samsu won with her clearance of 4.10m, an effort which broke the previous SEA Games record of 3.95m. Vietnam's Le Thi Phuong (4.00m) took the silver while Thailand’s Sunisa Kao-lad (3.60m) clinched the bronze.
Stage set for the 100m finals
The men’s and women’s century sprints attracted much attention. This was despite the fact that the athletes were only running the semi-finals. Judging by today’s results, the leading contenders for top honours in the men’s 100m final appear to be Indonesia’s Suryo Agung Wibowo (10.57) and John Herman Murai (10.65). Thailand’s Wachara Sondee (10.69) and Sompote Suwannarangsri (10.71) are also worth watching out for, as are Singapore’s Poh Seng Song (10.72) and U.K. Shyam (10.74). Rounding out the field are Philippines’ Arnold Villarube (10.84) and Malaysia’s Mohd Faizal Maslim (10.88).
While the Thais and Malaysians have dominated the men’s 100m at the SEA Games. Indonesia’s leading men, with their fastest semi-final performances, seem to suggest their time may well come. An athlete that is watched with interest is Singapore’s U.K. Shyam. Though only the sixth fastest heading into the final, the 2001 SEA Games silver medallist is popular among fans and seems to be finding his old form that propelled him to a 10.37 National record in 2001.
In the semi-finals of the women’s 100m, Vietnam’s Vu Thi Huong (11.61), Myanmar’s Lai Lai Win (11.81) and Thailand's Orranut Klomdee (11.84) were dominant. The other finalists for tomorrow’s final are Indonesia’s Deysie Natalia Sumigar (11.87), Philippines’ Lerma Elmira Gabito (11.89), Vietnam’s Le Ngoc Phuong (11.91), Thailand’s Nongnuch Sanrat (11.98) and Indonesia’s Supiati (12.21).
Chua Chong Jin for the IAAF
