News Details

By Our Correspondent

Tianjin (China): Triple Asian champion and Asian Games gold medalist Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines soared above his challengers from China to win the gold medal on the second of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships here on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, former World No. 2, soared above 5.70 meters on his first attempt at the Tuanbo Sports Centre Athletic Arena. He then asked to raise the bar by another 10 centimeters but could not clear the height in his three attempts. China's Li Chenyang settled for the silver with a best of 5.60 meters which he cleared on his second attempt. The second Chinese athlete in the fray, Chen Yang pocketed the bronze medal after clearing 5.60 meters.

"It’s big (win) for me. This is the missing medal. I can finally say I have won everything that could be won in Asia in the world of athletics," an elated Obiena told the AAA website.

Asked about his upcoming challenges this season, in what is going to be a big year with the Asian Games scheduled in September-October, the Filipino star sounded optimistic. "I am preparing. I'm trying my best to stay healthy. If my body holds up, then the results will follow," he said.

Asked about the preparations for the meet, Obiena said he came after working hard in training. "I would say decently (prepared). It’s still early in the indoors and it was kind of a last minute thing. Overall, it was a great competition and extremely happy with the outcome, though the height could have been better," the gold medalist signed off.

Mixed day for hosts

Unlike their domination on the opening day, the hosts China had a relatively muted day but still picked up three of the nine gold medals on offer on the second day. Uzbekistan won two gold medals through Hukmova Jonbibi (women's 400m) and Davronova Sharifa (women's triple jump).

Jonbibi produced a personal best time of 53.61 seconds to pocket the gold, powering ahead of Iran's Zarei Manoujan Zahra who won the silver with a PB time of 54.18s. China's Zuo Siyu's season's best time of 54.62s won her the bronze.

Tanui bags 3,000m gold

The 2022 World champion in women's 3000m steeplechase Tanui Norah Jeruto of Kazakhstan won the gold in the 3000m to add to her 1500m bronze from the opening day. The 30-year-old Tanui clocked a personal best time of 8:46.87 seconds to stand on top of the podium. Japan's Tanaka Nozomi, winner of the 1500m gold, settled for the silver in 8:48.22s followed by China's Luo Xia (9:16.18s) in third place.

"I'm happy to have won gold in my favorite 3000m despite of no hurdles and also to win my first bronze medal in 1500m. I've never ran this race in any competition," Tanui said after collecting the gold medal. "Before this, I won the National Championship in Astana and it was a good gauge for me for the upcoming races."

"The new season has begun well and I'm looking forward to medals ahead too," she added. "I want to say thank you to my country, federation, athletic club and my family, parents and my husband for supporting me throughout. To be on the podium is something special to all of us in Kazakhstan. Love you, thank you so much."

At the end of Day 2, China remained on top of the standings with five six medals, followed by Japan with three gold. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan had won two gold medals each.

Results Men: 400m: 1. Hemeida Bassem Mohamed AA (Qatar, 47.27 seconds), 2. Zheng Chiyu (China, 47.34s), 3. Sayari Arash (Iran, 47.59 PB)

3000m: 1. Shiorji Kazuya (Japan, 7:53.87 seconds), 2. Keneshbekov Nursultan (Kyrgyzstan, 7:55.06s), 3. Nouri Hossein (Iran, 8:12.09)

60mH: 1. Liu Junxi (China, 7.53 seconds), 2. Nomoto Shusei (Japan, 7.59s), 3. Chen Yuanjiang (China, 7.67)

Pole vault: 1. Ernest John Obiena (Philippines, 5.70 metres), 2. Li Chenyang (China, 5.60m), 3. Chen Yang (China, 5.40)

Women: 60m: 1. Xu Jialu (China, 7.28 seconds PB), 2. Liao Yan Jun (Chinese Taipei, 7.30s), 3. Liu Xiajun (China, 7.38 PB)

400m: 1. Hukmova Jonbibi (Uzbekistan, 53.61 seconds PB), 2. Zarei Manoujan Zahra (Iran, 54.18s PB), 3. Zuo Siyu (China, 54.62 SB)

3000m: 1. Tanui Norah Jeruto (Kazakhstan, 8:46.87 seconds PB), 2. Tanaka Nozomi (Japan, 8:48.22s), 3. Luo Xia (China, 9:16.18 PB)

Pole vault 1. Ninu Chunge (China, 4.35 meters), 2. Morota Misaki (Japan, 4.35m), 3. Wei Lingxia (China, 4.25)

Triple jump: 1. Davronova Sharifa (Uzbekistan, 14.05 metres), 2. Li Yi (China, 13.87m), 3. Yefremova Mariya (Kazakhstan, 13.68 SB)