DLSU's Atilano sets new RP women's record for 100-m hurdles

De La Salle University athlete Sheena Atilano broke the 100-meter women's hurdles record of Elma Muros-Posadas and in the process got a bronze medal as well at Athletics Grand Prix tour, in the leg held June 27 in Pune City in India. According to a statement released on Thursday by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Atilano finished the event, her favorite, with a clocking of 13.65 seconds, just split second faster than the 13.66 seconds earlier set by track star Posadas. Posadas is now retired but still serves as athletics coach of the Far Eastern University. Before joining the event, Atilano went through six months of training in the United States, along with DLSU schoolmate Ralph Wandy. The Atilano's clocking was good enough for a bronze medal finish, but the event dominated by Kazakhstan runners Anastasiya Vinogradova (13.22 seconds), who came in first, followed by Natalya Ivoninskaya (13.45 seconds). It was the third medal of Atilano in the tour, as she had earlier pocketed a silver in Bangkok, Thailand, and a bronze in Guwahati, India, both in the same event. Atilano bested Dedeh Erawati of Indonesia, who finished at fourth place in the Pune City stage of the tour. The two are expected to meet again in the 24th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) to be held in Thailand this December. "Tinatalo ni Atilano si Erawati habang ang gold medallist noong 2005 na si Malaysian Moh Siew Wei ay may mga injuries. Kung magpapatuloy ito, naniniwala akong sure gold na si Sheena sa Thailand SEA Games," PATAFA chief Go Teng Kok said. - GMANews.TV