PH hurdler John Tolentino joins EJ Obiena at Worlds

Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 – Athletics – Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou, China – October 1, 2023 Philippines’ John Tolentino gestures after the men’s 110m hurdles round 1 heats REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

MANILA, Philippines–It looks like EJ Obiena will have some company from among his athletics teammates in the coming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Hurdler John Cabang Tolentino appeared to have made the cut for the prestigious meet.

The 22-year-old Filipino-Spaniard’s bronze-medal performance at the recent 11th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran, Iran, could very well put him on the starting block of the world tournament slated March 1 to 3.

“As of today, he’s ranked 47 out of 48 on the road to Glasgow. The (qualification) deadline was February 18th, so most likely he is qualified,’’ Philippine Athletics president Terry Capistrano told the Inquirer.

Tolentino reached the line in 7.64 seconds in the men’s 60-meter hurdles behind gold performer Yefremov David of Kazakhstan (7.60) and silver medalist Qin Weibo of China (7.63).

“However, we’re awaiting the final confirmation on February 21st (Wednesday). John’s performance (in Tehran) definitely helped,’’ said Capistrano.

Tolentino’s clocking was enough to wipe out the Philippine indoor record of Eric Cray, who timed 7.86 at the UNM Cherry and Silver Invitational in Albuquerque, United States a decade ago.

Bidding to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Tolentino posted his fifth medal finish this year following podium performances in races held last month in Spain, Kazakhstan and Sweden.

Tolentino, also the national record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles, is ranked 32nd in his event where the top 40 placings in the world will book spots in the Olympics.

Janry Ubas registered 7.60 meters on his fifth jump, finishing behind gold medalist Zhang Mingkun of China (7.97m), Japan’s Yuto Toriumi (7.89m) and Daiki Oda (7.76m).

The 30-year-old Ubas is likewise aspiring for that trip to the Paris Summer Games. He climbed from No. 21 from No. 53 this year with the top 32 long jumpers in the world bound for the French capital.

As for Obiena, the world’s No. 2 pole vaulter kicks off his indoor season early Wednesday morning (Manila time) at the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Osijek, Croatia. INQ