Record-setting Cray ‘confident’ heading to Rio

Eric Cray. INQUIRER FIle Photo

Eric Cray has been trying to erase his own record each time he runs on the track.

The Filipino-American hurdler got the job done, pocketing the silver medal and shattering the national mark in the men’s 400m hurdles during the recent IAAF World Challenge held in Madrid, Spain.

“Just ran a new personal best and national record of 48.98 (seconds) in Madrid,” said Cray, also the record holder in his pet event in the Southeast Asian Games.

Cray’s efforts surpassed his previous fastest run of 49.12 seconds during the Cayman Invite in Cayman Islands in May last year when the three-time All-American from San Antonio, Texas hit the Olympic qualifying standard of 49.40.

“Still have some work to do and things to fine tune before Rio, but I’m confident I will be at my best when it’s time,” said the fastest man in Southeast Asia.

Cray, who also captured the SEAG gold in the men’s 100m dash, wound up second overall in the field of 15 runners in Madrid behind Jeshua Anderson of the United States, who ruled the event by a hairline (48.96).

Sergio Fernandez of Spain got the bronze in 49.02 and Estonia’s Rasmus Magi placed fourth (49.04).

For his exploit, the 27-year-old expressed his gratitude to his supporters and sponsors, including thePhilippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association and private backers Lafarge Cement, Hertz, Rapide Auto, Rustans, Philippine Stock Exchange and businessman Jim Lafferty.

The performance of Cray pushed him closer to the bronze-medal clocking of Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson (48.10) in the 2012 London Olympics./rga