After placing fourth in the ASEAN University Games last year, Far Eastern University (FEU) Trackster Carlos De Imus bounced back stronger as he claimed the national record in the Men’s 20-kilometer race walk at the Asian Race Walking Championships last Saturday, March 16, in Komatsu, Japan.

"Until now, hindi pa rin nag-[sink in] sa utak ko na I broke the national record, kasi sobrang kabado ako when preparing for this competition… I told myself na I’m here to compete, mag-enjoy and gain some experience. Luckily I got top seven, number one from Southeast Asia, got my PB [personal best] and also a national record (Until now, it hasn’t sunk in that I broke the national record, as I was nervous during the preparation… I told myself that I’m here to compete, enjoy, and gain some experience),” he shared in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

De Imus broke the PH record after he clocked in a total time of 1:30:03, breaking previous record-holder Michael Embuedo’s time of 1:33:51 in 2009.

The green-and-gold trackster also finished seventh overall and first in the Southeast Asia bracket.

Following his record-breaker, De Imus emphasized the importance of taking a break in the midst of high-level stakes.

“I’m eyeing for many competitions this year, but I have to take some time to rebuild myself again… I was too harsh on myself na hindi na ako nagpapahinga para lang makapag-produce ng magandang results sa mga competition. Kasama pala talaga ang pahinga sa process patungo sa goals natin sa buhay (I was too harsh on myself to the point that I did not prioritize rest just to get good results. Rest is truly essential in the process of attaining our goals in life),” he said.

Accompanying De Imus was Coach Saturnino ‘Titus’ Salazar and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Terry Capistrano. University of the Philippines’ Alana Halagueña also competed but did not finish.

Following his service in the military, the national record-holder then looks to rejoin forces with the FEU Track and Field Team for the upcoming University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 athletics championship after missing the previous season.

“I feel bad kasi hindi ako nakalaro [sa] UAAP [Season 87], and I’m so sorry for my teammates. Hayaan niyo ako bumawi sa inyo this time (I feel bad since I missed out on the previous UAAP season, and I want to say sorry to my teammates. Let me make it up to you)!” De Imus expressed.

Japan’s Yuta Koga achieved the fastest mark of 1:18:48 followed by China’s Xuanfei Hu and Kazakhstan’s Georgiy Sheiko with 1:21:12 and 1:23:07, respectively

As of writing, the Asian Race Walking Championship serves as the trackster’s first international competition for the year.

- Joshua Kyle M. Beltran

(Photo courtesy of Alana Halagueña)