Janry Ubas wins long jump gold to end string of SEA Games heartbreaks

Southeast Asian Games – Athletics – Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 9, 2023 Philippines’ Janry Ubas celebrates with his gold medal after winning the men’s long jump REUTERS/Jeremy Lee

PHNOM PENH—Janry Ubas didn’t lose hope despite the consistent lack of success in five Southeast Asian Games in a row.

The lengthy wait for the 29-year-old from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental came to an end on Tuesday with a gold medal in men’s long jump at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Ubas registered 7.85 meters on his first try, which eventually became his winning jump after four successive fouls.

“I could have jumped longer if not for those fouls. But I couldn’t ask for more. This is my first SEA Games gold after five attempts,’’ Ubas told the Inquirer.

Ubas earlier wiped out the existing SEA Games long jump record of Indonesia’s Sapwaturrahman (8.03m) achieved at the 2019 Manila Games with an 8.08-meter attempt in men’s decathlon.

It was the second gold medal for the Philippine track and field squad following EJ Obiena’s record-breaking victory in men’s pole vault on Monday.

Aries Toledo and Ubas are expected to finish second and third in the men’s decathlon.