SEA Games 2023: Record holder Mark Rodelas confident of smooth run in Obstacle final

Filipino obstacle course racing athlete Mark Julius Rodelas. –PILIPINAS OBSTACLE SPORTS FACEBOOK

PHNOM PENH—Just one clear look at the course layout, Mark Julius Rodelas can easily discern a quick way to hurdle a variety of obstacles in the fastest possible manner.

“Almost all the techniques being used to clear an obstacle (in the 100m) came from me. I scrutinize and study each barrier closely and think of ways to go over it as quickly as I can,’’ said Rodelas.

“Other countries eventually adopted these techniques that I discovered,’’ added the current Guinness World Record holder.

The world record standard-bearer in the 100m obstacle race is a cinch to clinch either a top podium finish or a silver on Saturday’s all-Filipino men’s individual finals at the course laid out at Chroy Changvar Car Park.

Filipino bets for the Obstacle Course Race in the 32nd SEA Games. –Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation

Obstructing his way to the gold is Kevin Pascua, the 2019 SEA Games men’s champion who placed second to Rodelas during the preliminary run on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Rodelas erased his own world standard of 26.42 seconds, which was likewise the existing Guiness record, with a 25.09-second effort. Pascua forged the gold-medal encounter with a career effort of 26.18 seconds.

“My goal in this SEA Games is 24 seconds. I think I can do it. I had several lapses in my last run. You might not have noticed them, but these small details cause the delay in my run,’’ said Rodelas, a bronze medalist in the 2019 Manila SEA Games.

“I’m confident I can execute a smooth run in the finals,’’ added the former sprinter and long jumper who shifted to obstacle racing.

Precious Cabuya and Kaizen Dela Serna will formalize the country’s gold-medal sweep in the individual races in the women’s side after finishing 1-2 in the heats.

There are two more golds to be contested in the men’s and women’s relays with the men’s crew of Ahgie Radan, Elias Tabac, Mervin Guarte and Jay-R De Castro a clear favorite along with the women’s squad of Mecca Cortizano, Sandi Abahan, Tess Nocyao and Milky Tejares.

A sweep of all four events will replicate a similar feat by the obstacle racers when the Philippines went six of six in the 2019 edition.

“I know there’s pressure, but I don’t feel it. It will be a good run in the finals. I share the same techniques (with Pascua) and we have the same training,’’ said Rodelas.

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Inquirer’s special coverage of the Cambodia SEA Games 2023.