Marestella Torres Sunang retires from competitive long jump (Latest Sabong News)
Author
Kristel Satumbaga-Villar
Date
MAY 19 2022
Marestella Torres-Sunang is retiring from competitive long jump after 22 years of serving in the national team.
The decision came after Torres-Sunang’s stint at the 31st Southeast Asian Games where she failed to land a medal for the second time.
“At dito nagtapos ang aking SEA Games journey,” Torres-Sunang wrote in a lengthy Facebook post.
“Sobrang nakakataba ng puso para i-represent ang Pilipinas sa larangan ng sports. Nagawa ko na ang part ko bilang isang atleta na i-represent ang bansa nating sa SEA Games, Asian Games, Asian Championship, World Championship and Olympics.”
Despite not meeting her goal in this year’s biennial meet, Torres-Sunang is thankful for the past achievements she has given to the country.
She has won the SEAG gold medal four times out of her nine appearances, and has become and Asian champion and a three-time Olympian.
The 41-year-old also still holds the SEAG record of 6.71 meters she made at the 2011 Indonesia edition and the national record of 6.72m she performed at the Kazakhstan Open in 2016.
Torres-Sunang said her next focus would be to help the country develop upcoming athletes who could someday become world-class.
“Panahon na para ipasa ko ang aking natutunan sa event ko. Ang goal ko ay makapag-develop ng isang magaling na atleta na kayang higitan ang achievements ko, dahil bilang isang atleta, narrating ko man ang pinakamataas na competition sa larangan ng sports, meron pa rin akong gustong makamit na sana makukuha yan ng magiging atleta ko,” Torres-Sunang said.
She also thanked the people and agencies who supported her throughout her career that include the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and her previous and former coaches.
