After three years of absence in international competitions including the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, when she also had to raise her own kid, one of the country’s top long jumpers is now seeking a comeback.
Katherine Kay Santos is seeking a return to the roster of national athletes who will see action in the Hanoi, Vietnam SEAG in May next year.
The SEAG 2011 long jump bronze medalist is back in full time training as she is determined to be in the final roster of Philippine National Team during the final try out next month in Metro Manila. The national tryouts will be on December 9 and 10 at Pasig Ultra.
And she is getting much help from former national standout Elma Muros-Posadas and George Posadas to get back on track for the delayed SEAG.
‘I’ve been getting support – for workouts – from coaches Elma and George Posadas,” said the Baguio raised athlete, who had her family and close friends to thank for helping her raise her three old son Khalie Nathan.
“I last saw action in the 2017 SEAG in Malaysia and was out of the national team in 2018,” she said.
To get into the long jump team, Santos needs to clear 6.17 meters, “although I need to clear at least six meters to be considered by the PATAFA (Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association),” said Santos, whose personal best 6.4 meters.
The Philippine record is 6.72 meters established by Marastella Sunang in the Kazakh Open in July 4, 2016.
“As long as it is near six meters, the PATAFA will consider since we have not gone 100 percent in our preparation and we still have more competitions to join in (before the May SEAG),” added the looker, who graduated from the Baguio City High School and the Baguio athletic bowl as her home during her high school days.
Aside from long jump, Santos also wish to join the 4 x 100 meters relay team.
A runner first, Santos has a personal best of 11.99 seconds which is quite respectable since the Philippne best is 11.27 seconds by Kristina Knott.
It has been a long lay-off for the 31 year old looker who resumed training when the Covid-19 pandemic struck last year.
And she ix hungrier this time as she does not want only to get back to competing to prove herself but has a three year old son to inspire her. has three year old
“Mas pursigido ako ngayon na ibigay ang best ko to prove my capability as a national athlete before,” she said in an interview over a local radio station.
“I was overwhelmed with the encouragement of some of my friends, family and co-athletes for me to return in the Philippine team and to finish what I have started” she also said in the same interview.
