Knott for long

Lydia de Vega-Mercado’s record in the women’s 100-meter dash in the Southeast Asian Games is in danger of getting wiped out.

For Filipino-American sprinter Kristina Knott, the time is now ripe to replace Mercado’s longstanding record with her own.

“I want to take all her records. No offense, but they’ve been up there too long and it’s about time to get those records,” said Knott, the country’s top bet in the women’s sprint double—the 100m and 200m dash—in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Aside from owning the 32-year-old record in the 100m (11.28 seconds), set during the 1987 Jakarta SEA Games, Mercado, once Asia’s fastest woman, likewise owns the national record in the 200m (23.35).

Knott, who grew up in Florida and raced for University of Miami, has a personal best of 11.42 seconds in the 100m, which she logged during the Asian Grand Prix this year, and 23.62 in the 200m, which she set during the Philippine National Open.

Mercado’s 200m record was achieved during a race in Walnut, United States back in 1986.

“I’m working on it. I’m sharpening my strength, technique and power,” said Knott, who will challenge Vietnamese sprinter Le Thun Chinh in both events.

Le accomplished a sprint double during the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, clocking 11.56 seconds in the century dash and 23.32 in the 200m. She recently timed 11.67 in the 100m during the SEA Games trials in Vietnam.

“I want to stay healthy and prepare myself for the race. I’m looking forward to the SEA Games. I want to see what the hype is all about,” said Knott.

Much is expected from Knott in the track and field competition of the SEA Games at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, from Dec. 6 to 10.

Based on projections made by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, Knott is among the six athletes capable of winning gold medals in the 11-nation meet.

Joining Knott in that elite cast are hurdler Eric Cray, pole vaulters Ernest John Obiena and Natalie Uy, 800m specialist Carter Lilly and shot-putter William Morrison.

Patafa president Philip Juico also mentioned SEA Games women’s marathon defending champion Mary Joy Tabal, triple jumper Harry Diones, decathlete Aries Toledo as potential gold winners.