CHINESE-TAIPEI—Members of Team Philippines marched alongside more than 2,000 athletes from 24 countries in the 17th Asia Masters Athletics Championships at Taipei Gymnasium here on Friday.
Asia’s former long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas and javelin thrower Erlinda Lavandia were flag bearers for the 24-man PH squad. Four officials led by Manny Ibay, president of the National Masters and Seniors Athletic Association of the Philippines (NMSAAP), are part of the delegation.
Muros-Posadas and Lavandia are multiple winners in this event and, along with Emerson Obiena, are the only members of the team to have taken part in the World Masters Athletics Championships several times in the past.
The tournament also serves as qualifier for the World Masters Athletics Championships set in Brazil in June 2013.
“The choice of Muros-Posadas and Lavandia, whose feats are still talked about by their fellow veterans here, as flag bearers fits our goal of winning as many medals as we can in this tournament for athletes 35 years old and older,” Ibay said.
Muros-Posadas and Lavandia have won at least 30 gold medals between them in various editions of this event. Team Philippines is eyeing 10 gold medals this time.
Obiena, who will compete in the men’s century dash and pole vault, holds the record in men’s 40-45 years old pole vault while Lavandia owns the women’s 45-50 y.o. and 45-50 y. o. javelin throw records.
Muros-Posadas is entered in her favorite long jump, 100m and 200m runs, 80m hurdle and the 4x100m relay.
Also included in the PH squad are Lerma Bulaitan-Gabito, long jump and 4×100 relay; Antonio Chee, pole vault and javelin throw; Elenita Punelas, long jump and 4×100 relay; Danny Jarin, hammer and discus throws; and John Lozada, 400m and 800m events..