SEA Games: Cray strikes gold in 400m hurdles

Eric Cray of the Philippines competes in the men’s 400-meter hurdles event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games. Cray clocked 50.03 seconds to win the gold medal. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

KUALA LUMPUR — Eric Cray chose to coast along to the finish line despite a Vietnamese competitor and still emerged the men’s 400-meter hurdles champion Tuesday night in the Southeast Asian Games.

Holding a big lead at the final turn, the defending champion brushed off the challenge of Quach Cong Lich in the final 50 meters to nail it via thrilling photo finish.

Cray, who hails from Olongapo but lives in Texas, spent the few suspense-filled minutes waiting for the results lying on the track, totally sure that he won the first of his two finals events of the evening.

The officials timer showed he clocked 50.03 seconds as against the Vietnamese’s 50.05. It was way off  the 49.40 SEA Games record that he also holds.

Cray was probably saving himself as he was to compete later in the 100m dash which he also won two years ago.

Another Filipino in the final, Francis Tiaga Medina, also crossed the finish line but on wheelchair as he appeared to have injured his legs.