Eric Cray 2015

Eric Cray 2015

Cray adds second Golds, Breaks SEA Record, and defends 400 Hurdles title

June 11, 2015

Dubbed the Usain Bolt of South East Asia, Eric Shauwn Cray of the Philippines set several milestones at the Sports Hub Stadium on a packed Wednesday Evening. The 26-year-old Cray fresh from winning the century dash the day before was up to defending the SEA title he won in Myanmar two years ago.

 The organizers decided to fill all nine lanes in a straight final with Cray drawn in lane 4, outside him was Quach Cong Lich of Vietnam (in yellow) a runner new to this event with a PB of 46.99 in the 400 plain. Lich led Cray the whole way until the last 100m. 

The defending champion put his foot down on the pedal and was fairly even with Lich until clearing the last hurdle, then Cray used his superior finishing speed to comfortably win in a new Games Record of 49.40. Cray passed the old mark set 20 years ago by Chanon Keanchan of Thailand which is 49.76. Cray who ran 49.12 at the Cayman Island Invitational at Georgetown last month was able to qualify for the Olympic Games. 49.40 was his second-best career performance. Cray is currently ranked ninth on the world rankings.

 

Quach

Quach Cong Lich was second in a big PB of 50.29 a relative newcomer to this event. Last year’s Silver medalist Andrian of Indonesia was reduced to a Bronze despite running a PB of 51.36. 2011 Champion Xuan Dao of Vietnam was fourth. Five runners broke 52 seconds, compared to the three last SEA Games indicating a stronger shift in depth in this event.

The other Filipino in this race Junrey Bano the PNG and National Champion finished sixth.

Cray also became the First Filipino in 400 Hurdles to go back-to-back with wins in 2013,2015. The Philippines won gold in 1981 Grafilo, 1983 Unso, 1985 Arnillo

Finished (Official)

National Stadium – 10 Jun 16:25

 

Rank	Bib	Name	Reaction Time	Fn	Result
1	126	CRAY Eric Shauwn	0.151		49.40				GR
2	329	QUACH Cong Lich	0.197		50.29				PB
3	12	ANDRIAN Andrian	0.173		51.36				PB
4	311	DAO Xuan Cuong	0.213		51.78				SB
5	264	THUMCHA Witthawat	0.162		51.88				PB
6	120	BANO Junrey	0.165		53.07
7	266	WONGSAWANG Anan	0.249		53.30
8	169	LEE Raymond Scott	0.194		54.00				PB
9	178	OW YEONG Yu Xiang	0.185		54.09				PB

 

 

 

Cray milestone first Filipino win 100 SEA Games

Jun 10, 2015

26-year-old Eric Cray, became the First Filipino to win the 100m Dash since the Philippines joined the SEA Games in 1975. Over the years sprinters from the Philippines came and failed to even land in the top three. Cray ended this drought with a convincing win in the Men’s 100m Dash at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

Cray had already lowered Ralph Soguilon National Record to 10.33 at the Bob Cat Classic in Texas. In the heats of 100 Cray was impressive in 10.28 shutting down the last 15 meters, blowing away the SEA Games Defending Champion Jirapong Meenapra of Thailand, and 2013  silver medalist Iswandi of Indonesia who clocked respectable times of 10.42 and 10.43.

It was a fast final with Cray holding off his pursuers in another new Philippine Record of 10.25 (0.0). Just outside the SEA Games Record of Surya Agung Wibowo set in 2009 of 10.17, and the Olympic qualification of 10.16. Yaspi Bobby took silver in 10.42, while Iswandi the 2013 Silver medalist was relegated to bronze also with 10.42. Local Singaporean Calvin Kang was fourth in a new PB of 10.47. Defending champion Jirapong Meenapra’s time of 10.48 the same time which won the last SEA Games only good enough for fifth place.

Week 3: Cray opens good in 400 Hurdles

While five Fil-Heritage athletes participated at the National Champs in Santa Cruz, which had very many strong local performances also there were some good performances over in the United States.

Eric Cray clocked his season opener in the 400 Hurdles with a time of 50.93 at Albuquerque, New Mexico, his National Record is 50.00 the time was faster than his SEA Games winning time of 51.29. Cray who opted not to travel to tune-up meets in South East Asia and chose to prepare with better competition in the United States is on the priority funding program of the PSC and also receives a travel stipend from the PSC.

 

Cray lowers mark

With the focus this week going on Donovont, another National Indoor mark fell during this meet. Eric Shauwn Cray took his 200m Indoor record from a few weeks ago down to 21.43, and also clocked a smart 48.28 for the 400m indoors. Cray is eyeing the 400 Hurdles and the relays for the SEA Games. The difficult placement of the 200m at the SEA Games makes it hard to balance this event with the busy schedule ahead.