Cray aims for 48 seconds

FILIPINO-AMERICAN Eric Shauwn Cray RAFFY LERMA FILE PHOTO

Hurdler Eric Cray is chasing 48 seconds to get a clear shot at a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Davien Clarke, his sprint coach, said yesterday he believes the Filipino-American 400-meter hurdles specialist can do it in the biggest race of his life next year.

“We have set goals for him to accomplish. And every time he competes, he gets to surpass those goals,” said Clark, a member of Jamaica’s 4×400-meter relay team that salvaged a bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Cray, who paid a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission OIC Buddy Andrada yesterday, registered a national record of 49.12 seconds during the Cayman Invite in Cayman Islands on May 16 to earn a ticket to Rio.

The 21-year-old, three-time All-American from University of Oklahoma also became the fastest man in Southeast Asia after winning the 100m dash aside from topping his pet event in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games two months ago.

“Forty-eight seconds is the time that can make the finals of the Olympics and the world championships,” said Clarke.