Torres eyes slot in long jump s’finals
LONDON—Unlike swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna, long jumper Marestella Torres will be gunning for a berth in the semifinals when her event fires off on Tuesday at the Main Olympic Stadium here.
The 32-year-old Torres is coming off several excellent leaps as she prepared for her second Olympics, including a 6.62-meter leap at the Kozonov Memorial Championships in July.
Her national record of 6.72m is well within the qualifying standard for the long jump semifinals based on the personal best marks of the entries.
“I would love to be in the last 12,” said Torres. “If everything turns out right, I will also try to improve my national record.”
Torres’ fighting stance contrasts that of Alkhaldi and Lacuna, who competed with only the PH record as target.
Perhaps because of the strength of opposition, Alkhaldi was told by coach Pinky Brosas to just “go out there and have fun,” according to delegation press attaché Joe Antonio.
