PH thrower shatters ASEAN Schools Games record

July 26, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR- Another athlete from Bacolod City copped the country’s third gold medal in record-setting fashion in the 2018 ASEAN Schools Games.

Seventeen-year-old Ann Katherine Quitoy recorded 49.18 meters to set a new mark in javelin throw, and secure the third gold medal for Team Philippines last July 22 at the Mini-Stadium of the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.

Quitoy shattered Malaysia's 46.04-m record set last year in Singapore, courtesy of Devi Jayaindran Pavithraa.

Winning the silver medal was Klinla-Or Supisara of Thailand with a throw of 47.89m, while Firliana Yuni Fira of Indonesia took the bronze with a throw of 43.35 m.

Quitoy achieved the remarkable feat three months after she shattered the secondary girls record of the same event during the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Iloilo thrower James Lozanes also broke the boys javelin record in topping last year’s edition of ASG in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Jessel Lumapas, 2018 Palarong Pambansa’s most outstanding athlete in athletics, ruled the girls 400m run after clocking in 57.46 seconds.

Pratike Rawiwan of Thailand settled for silver after she timed 57.10 seconds, while Maulidah of Indonesia took the bronze with a time of 57.54 seconds.

Lumapas almost did not make it to her event after missing the bus that would have transported her to the playing venue. DepEd staff Marivic Tolitol said she was approached by Lumapas:

"She [Lumapas] said there was a change of schedule for her event. She was advised that the girls javelin throw event will be played by 2:15 p.m. But our liaison officer assisted her to board the next bus," Tolitol shared.

Philippines Chef-De-Mission (CDM) Rizalino Jose Rosales said that Lumapas' late arrival was a premonition that she will win a gold medal.

"It was meant for her," Rosales said in the vernacular.

He, however, stressed that the athletes should be more conscious with the time of their events to avoid similar cases to happen again in the next days.

Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and School Sports Tonisito Umali is proud of the athletes’ achievement so far.

“Truly, they are not only performing well in their chosen sports, but are also representing our country in a remarkable way.” DMS