Long jumper Ubas looks to cover six-inch gap to Paris standard

Janry Ubas of the Philippines competes in the men’s long jump event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games athletics competition late Thursday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Ubas registered 7.75 meters to claim the bronze medal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES POOL

Phenomenal in resetting the men’s long jump record during last month’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia, Janry Ubas is within half-a-foot of reaching a personal milestone of seeing action in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I always make an effort to outdo my previous jump. That mindset helps me become better,’’ said Ubas, who holds the SEA Games standard of 8.08 meters in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. The 29-year-old from Misamis Oriental needs to leap to at least 8.27 meters, the Olympic qualification standard in his pet event, for a sure slot in the Games to be held at the French capital.

Ubas must zero in on that singular target beginning July 1, the start of the Olympic qualification period as he has several international events lined up.“I know it will be difficult, but I’m willing to put in the work and sacrifice,’’ said Ubas, who also pocketed a silver medal in decathlon in the SEA Games.

Ubas has been projected as a medal contender in the coming Asian Athletics Championships on July 12 to 16 in Pattaya, Thailand, along with pole vaulter EJ Obiena and 400-m hurdles specialist Eric Cray.

The men’s 4x400m team of Michael del Prado, Umajesty Williams, Joyme Sequita and Frederick Ramirez can also pull off a surprise in the continental championships after also winning gold in Cambodia.

Accumulate points

“The finest track and field athletes from Asia will be there, so it’s going to be a big challenge to win a medal,’’ said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano. “But our athletes are all driven to perform at their best.’’

Meeting the Olympic standard in specific events in the Asian championships will qualify an athlete to Paris along with succeeding tournaments sanctioned by World Athletics, including the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, (Aug. 19 to 27) and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China (Sept. 23 to Oct. 8).

Obiena is a favorite to make it again to the Olympics with Ubas and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian Cray capable of joining the world’s No. 3 vaulter.

Aside from achieving the Olympic qualification standard, they can also secure a Paris trip by participating in as many tournaments as possible to accumulate points and move up in the rankings.

“For now, I’ll just focus on my training and try to improve every day,’’ said Ubas. INQ