Hussein Loraña completed a golden double at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, after topping the men’s 1,500-meter run in 3 minutes, 49.12 seconds at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Loraña, who began his racing career since his elementary days in the high-altitude streets of Baguio City, pulled away in the final 80 meters to win his second gold medal after his 800-meter title the previous day.
The win also marked Loraña’s first time competing in the 1,500 meters since the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“I tried to sense myself after winning the 800-meter race the previous night, and I was only able to get five hours of sleep due to overthinking,” said Loraña, the Southeast Asian Games champion in the event.
“My father and coach, Bonifacio, told me if I felt like I was capable of running the event, then I should go for it. Eventually, I was able to get two more hours of sleep before the early night race, and I am so glad I did.”
Loraña next competes in the Asian U-23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, from July 9-12. He and his father will then decide whether he will run the 1,500 meters at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, this September.
Two other athletes secured their second gold medals of the five-day trackfest.
Jessa Mae Roda, who previously won the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, took the women’s 1,500-meter title in 4:37.01. Rica Balderama added the triple jump title to her long jump victory, winning with a leap of 12.42 meters.
In the relays, the national men’s 4×400-meter team rebounded from a disappointing finish by the 4×100-meter squad the previous night.
Mico del Prado anchored the team of Frederick Ramirez, Alrhyan Labita, and Kharis Pantonial to a victory in 3:13.25.
The squad is trained by national coach Isidro del Prado, Mico’s father and a Philippine middle-distance running legend, who watched from the stands.
“Parang naanino ko ang aking nakaraan (It’s like a shadow of my past),” the elder Del Prado said with a smile.
However, the coach noted room for improvement, stating the time should have been closer to 3:08. A different Philippine lineup clocked 3:11.2 to win the Singapore Open recently, and the national record stands at 3:04.89, set at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The younger Del Prado praised his teammates for bouncing back.
“Actually, I’m not a member of the 4×100, but we are grateful for their performance because they weren’t the original members. The team was assembled suddenly,” Mico del Prado said. “For my team in the 4×400, I’m happy with their performance. We fought a good fight. And we are thankful we finished strong and healthy.”
Del Prado will miss the upcoming Asian Relays Championships in Shangyu, China, due to visa issues.
In the other 4×400-meter finals, the KG Mercuries took silver in the men’s division in 3:14.31, while Team España earned bronze in 3:18.68. In the women’s division, the La Salle-Taft quartet of Ashley Mecel Tabad, Jamaica Kate Saligan, Erica Marie Ruto, and Lea Krizdea Ordinario won gold in 3:56.78.
The five-day tournament was presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and co-presented by BCDA and New Clark City, with backing from ICTSI Foundation, CEL Logistics Inc., UAAGI Auto Group Inc., Pocari Sweat, Clark Water, Masiv Sports, and Cherrylume. Roderick Osis
