SEA Games: Fil-Am recruit sets sights on Tokyo Olympics

By Nick Giongco

MABALACAT, Pampanga—Carter Lilly will have about five to ten chances to earn a slot to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but securing a spot in the 800 meters here during the 30th Southeast Asian Games would mean a lot to him.

“That would be great,” said Lilly on Tuesday during the sendoff ceremonies for the track and field team to the 2019 edition of the biennial sportsfest.

“If I can qualify during the SEA Games, it would allow me prepare early (for Tokyo),” added the 24-year-old Human Physiology graduate from the University of Iowa who arrived in the country early in the morning from his home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lilly, whose personal best is 1:46 seconds, has to shave off a full second in order to make the Olympic grade.

In the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam’s Duong Van Thai clocked 1:48.97 to win the gold medal.

Lilly, whose mother Jane is Filipino, feels he has what it takes to run faster than that.

Still, he is not looking past rivals from Thailand and Vietnam, who are raring to rain on his parade.

Lilly will begin his quest on Dec. 9 at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Early this year, Lilly shattered the 17-year-old record of John Lozada by registering 1:47.52. Lozada’s old mark was 1:47.77.

Should Lilly fail to book an Olympic slot here, he will have numerous chances across the State.

And if he qualifies, Lilly will represent the Philippines, no doubt.

So far, the Philippines has two qualifiers for Tokyo: Italy-based pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world gymnastics world champion Carlos Yulo.

Source: Manila Bulletin