Sprinter Kristina Knott posts season-best but exits World Indoor Championships

Kristina Knott, the lone Philippine representative to the World Athletics Indoor Championships, crashed out of the competition after failing to move past the heats round on Friday in Belgrade, Serbia.

The Filipina-American sprinter clocked a season-best 7.39 seconds in the women's 60m but wound up eighth in Heat 2 to formally bow out of contention. Only the top three participants in each heat and the next six fastest will move on to the semifinal round.

Overall, Knott, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics last year, finished 38th among 46 competitors.

The only Filipino to compete in the prestigious tiff, the 26-year-old Knott got support from fellow track and field athlete EJ Obiena, who earlier failed to secure endorsement from Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

In an Instagram post, Obiena said Knott may not have progressed in the tournament but she valiantly ran for the flag.

"I am proud to call Kristina a teammate and friend and I want to thank her for making our nation proud. SEA Games are next and I am sure Kristina shall defend her Gold Medals in Hanoi!"

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News