Pinoy tracksters win golds in Thailand

The Philippines bagged 4 golds in the 13-nation Thailand Open track and field championships at the Thammasat University, Thailand.

Julius Nierras won the 400meter run in 47.13 seconds, making him a favorite for the gold in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand late this year.

"My morale was high following my triumph in the qualifying heat. I was confident of winning the gold," said Nierras who relegated the 25-year-old sports science student at University Putra in Kuala Lumpur to the silver in 47.72 seconds.

Arniel Ferrera ruled the hammer throw with a heave of 59.55 meters, edging Thais Tantiphong Petchara (54.28 meters) and Yangjaros Kanjoo (52.01 meters). The 25-year-old, 5-11 former altar boy from Negros Occidental made his winning throw on his fourth attempt.

Narcisa Atienza, won the gold in heptathlon. The skinny 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Batangueña from Rosario finished the seven-discipline event with 5,176 total points, 118 ahead of second placer Watcharaporn Masim, who amassed 5,058 points. Saijai Pengtee also of the host country got the bronze with 4,516 output.