Chalon Boonkete (THA) in action at the 2005 Asian Championships Decathlon (© Lim Sin Thai)
Southeast Asia's biggest sporting competition every two years - known as the SEA Games - will kick off in the Philippines this weekend and much attention, as usual, will be on athletics, alongside swimming. When the athletics programme begins on Sunday, some exciting contests can be expected as close rivals renew their battles on the track and in the field.
Women's competition
Leading the way, in terms of competitiveness in Asia, will be the women's competition. Events to keep an eye on include the Shot Put, Long Jump, and both the sprint and full-lap hurdles.
In the Shot Put, Singapore's Zhang Gui Rong should start as the overwhelming favourite. Her closest rival is expected to be teammate Du Xianhui. At the Asian Championships in Incheon, Korea, in September, Zhang claimed the silver medal with an 18.57m throw, an effort just seven centimeters shy of the winner, China's Li Meiju. Du, who has an 18.67 personal best from 2002, was fifth in Incheon.
In the Long Jump, the host country appears to have the edge with its duo of Marestella Torres, who reached a National record of 6.63 en route to her Asian Championships silver, and Lerma Elmira Gabito (6.52 near-PB, 2005) - both consistent six metre-plus jumpers this season. Thitima Mmuangjan and Wacharee Rittiwat of Thailand look to be the only other jumpers who could pose a challenge.
Another Thai, Trecia Roberts, a semi-finalist at the 2000 Olympic Games, with a personal best of 12.73 from 1997, is the class of the field in the 100m Hurdles. While she may no longer possess sub-13 second form, if she comes anywhere near that form in Manila, fans are in for a treat. All the more so if her closest Southeast Asian rival, Malaysian Moh Siew Wei (13.27 NR, 2004), pushes her all the way - or even gets ahead of her. The pair, who are regular fixtures in finals at Asian competitions, should easily dip below 14 seconds.
In the 400m Hurdles, another Malaysian, Noraseela Mohd Khalid, is the athlete to beat. The 26-year-old runner-up at the Asian Games has improved her times consistently, with a pair of National records -56.55 and 56.39- to her credit this year. Mary Grace Milgar, a 400m specialist who has dabbled in this event, will be the host team's top hope. Milgar should also feature prominently in the 400m - alongside athletes from Myanmar and Vietnam.
Trung Thanh Hang and Do Thi Bong from Vietnam are likely to shine in the 800 and 1500m. With a surprise or two from Myanmar in these races, which often happens, and winning performances in the 2:01-2:02 and perhaps sub-4:20 can realistically emerge.
With Nongnuch Saenrat and Oranut Klomdee, the 100m is likely to be Thailand's territory. Others to watch include Masim Watcharaporn of Thailand in the Heptathlon and perhaps the long distance squads from Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Men's competition
In global terms, southeast Asian men's performances have been relatively modest. Still, there are glimpses of vast untapped potential along with prospects of exciting rivalries.
In the High Jump Vietnamese record holder and national champion Nguyen Duy Bang, with a 2.25 personal best, is probably the favourite. Not to be discounted are Thailand's Jirasukrujee Chokchai (2.18), and the Malaysian duo of Hassaim Ahmad Najwan Aqra (2.14m) and Lee Hup Wei (2.15).
In the 110m Hurdles, a three-way battle among Thailand's Suphan Wongsriphuck (13.92, 2003), Narongdech Janjai (14.03, 2003) and Malaysia's Hassan Mohd Robani (13.93, 2005) should prove to be one of the highlights on the men's programme. With Robani, a finalist in Incheon, still in good form, fans will be hoping for a sub-14 second race.
Similarly entertaining in terms of the promise for some thrilling battles is the Pole Vault. The leading "actors" include Thailand's Amnat Kunpadit, the defending champion, and Sompong Saombankuay, the National record holder at 5.01. Malaysian National record holder (5.00, 2002) Teh Weng Chang is also among the favorites.
The Decathlon, where Thailand's Chalon Boonkete and Vietnam's Bui Van Ha, will compete for top honours, should also prove to be quite a hit, particularly if the Philippines field a few top decathletes as they did at the 2003 Asian Championships that were also held in Manila.
The interest of the home crowd will be strong too in the 400m where Ernie Candelario and Jimar Aing (46.82, 2003) are likely to be among the leading contenders for medals. Candelario, the 2001 SEA Games champion, has a 46.59 personal best from that competition.
In the Javelin Throw, Danilo Fresnido (67.50, 2004) will be hoping for strong home crowd support to give him an edge over rival Thirdsak Boonjansri of Thailand. The 33-year-old Thai has a 72.50 best from 2000. Thirdsak.
Other male athletes to watch include Singapore's James Wong in the Discus Throw, along with a Thai trio in the horizontal jumps: Kittisak Sukon in the Long Jump, and Therayut Philakong and Nattapon Namkunha in the Triple Jump.
Chua Chong Jin for the IAAF
