SEA U18 Championship: 2 Masbate athletes bag gold, bronze

By Ernie Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- A 17-year-old athlete from San Jacinto, Masbate province won the Philippines’ gold medal in the girls’ javelin throw at the 16th Southeast Asian Under-18 Athletics Championship held in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia last Saturday, Nov. 30.

Ana Bhianca Espenilla’s record-breaking throw of 49.33 meters secured her a decisive victory over top athletes from the region.

She surpassed Malaysia’s Noor Aliya Binti Alias, who earned the silver medal with a throw of 41.70 meters, and Vietnam’s Luong Thi Hong Diem, who took home the bronze with 39.50 meters.

“This is for Masbate and the Philippines,” a proud Espenilla was quoted as telling a media interview after her win. “The support from my coaches and my school fueled my determination to excel.”

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATFA) congratulated Ana Bhianca Espenilla, stating in a Facebook post, “Gold! Congratulations to Ana Bhianca Espenilla for winning the javelin event at the 16th SEA U18 Athletics Championship 2024!”

Espenilla’s outstanding performance highlights the dedication and talent developed at the state-run Masbate Sports Academy, which honed her athletic skills.

Netizens reacted to the PATFA post, with many stating that Espenilla’s gold medal win was a point of pride for the Philippines and would undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes.

Meanwhile, another athlete from Masbate, Courtney Jewel Trangia, had the opportunity to replicate Espenilla’s success but ultimately fell short.

She secured a bronze medal in the discus event, finishing behind competitors from Thailand and Malaysia in the final. (PIA5/Masbate)