GOLD MEDALIST. Filipino-American Yacine Guermali competes in the men's 5,000m event in the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Philippine Athletics Championships at the Philsports track and field stadium in Pasig City on Wednesday (May 8, 2024). He won in 14 minutes and 18.83 seconds. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Filipino-American Yacine Guermali ruled the men's 5,000m event to claim the first gold medal in the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Philippine Athletics Championships 2024 at the Philsports track and field stadium in Pasig City on Wednesday.
He registered a best time of 14:18:83 among 58 runners, with national team mainstay Sonny Wagdos (14:54:95), and Spectrum Runners Philippines Team's Noli Torre (15:05:00) finishing second and third, respectively.
“It feels good, good run today, so beautiful,” said the 24-year-old Guermali, who studied business administration at the Gonzaga University, where he also earned a Master’s degree.
He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to a Filipino mother from Solano town in Nueva Vizcaya province. His father is a former professional runner from Morocco who migrated to the US.
“I am so happy to be here, competing for the first time. It is a tough event no matter what the climate is,” added Guermali, who holds the Philippine record of 13:50:74 he set at the Oregon State University High Performance meet on April 30, 2021.
Pasig City's Janry Ubas, University of the East's Heart Duarte, 5 Throws-for-All bet Daniella Daynata, and Adamson University's Elizabeth Sicat were the other gold medal winners in the tournament organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) headed by Terry Capistrano.
Ubas, the reigning South East Asian Games long jump champion, triumphed in 7.83 meters. Adamson University's Kent Francis Jardin (7.39m) settled for the silver medal, while Mapua University's Algin Gomez (7.20m) took the bronze medal.
"Masaya ako dahil maliban sa nag-gold ulit ako sa national championship, na-meet namin 'yung goal na 7.80 meters pataas para sa world ranking points sa Paris (I am happy because aside from winning the gold again in the national championship, we met the goal of 7.80 meters and above for the world ranking points for Paris)," said the 30-year-old Ubas, who hails from Villanueva town in Misamis Oriental.
Duarte topped the girls U18 shot put in 11.68 meters. Ateneo de Manila University's Yden Faith Candelario (11:36m) was second, followed by Masbate's Courtney Jewel Trangia (10.93m).
Daynata pocketed the women's discus throw gold medal in 43.10m while Pasig City's Chrizzel Lanipa (36.06m) and Adamson University's Keisha Gabrielle Tolin (34.43m) secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Sicat dominated the women's javelin throw in 33.35 meters. National team's Gennah Malapit (33.08m) placed second, followed by Adamson University's Irene Joy Veloso (32.86m).
A total of 1,250 local and foreign athletes are competing in the five-day event. (PNA)
