Eric Cray. INQUIRER FIle Photo
TOP Filipino hurdler Eric Cray produced a morale-boosting performance in the World Indoors Tour kickoff leg in Germany recently, finishing fifth in the 60-meter dash against formidable opponents.
Gearing up for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics where he is entered in his forte 400-meter hurdles, the 27-year-old Cray clocked 6.60 seconds in Karlsruhe.
Cray, who was born in Olongapo City but is now based in Texas, wound up fifth in the final topped by American Michael Rodgers (6.52) and St. Kitts and Nervis’ Kim Collins (6.54).
Cray’s personal best is 6.57.
“Am of course very happy and delighted to hear the news,” said Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico. “This will certainly give him added momentum for the Asian Indoor Championships.”
Juico is referring to the Asian indoors competition on Feb. 19 to 21 in Doha, Qatar, where Cray and six other Filipino tracksters are seeing action.
Joining the three-time Southeast Asian Games champion are sprinter Kayla Anise Richardson, middle distance runners Archand Bagsit and Edgardo Alejan Jr., long jumpers Marestella Torres and Donovan Arriola and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena.