CAPAS, Tarlac—Filipino William Morrison could have gone further.
But, the 21-year-old Morrison still managed to set a new national and meet record in the 30th Southeast Asian Games athletics meet at the New Clark City Stadium here.
Morrison registered 18.38 meters last Sunday in the men’s shot put event, overshadowing the 17.74 meters of Thailand’s Chatchawal Polyiam in the 2011 SEA Games.
“I was off today. But I’m glad that I was able to win,” said Morrison.
Morrison’s showing was in fact below his season’s best, which was a distance of 20.4 meters in a Bloomington, Indiana meet last June.
His effort also allowed him to set a new national mark after Morrison also surpassed 16.74 meter showing of Elizer Sunang in the 2013 Thailand Open.
Morrison said he got tired, and could not go further.
“I got tired. I’m not used to the weather here. It’s snowing in Indiana now,” said Morrison.
Malaysia’s Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, the bronze medallist in 2017 settled for second place with 17.03 meters.
And Zolkefli’s heave was farther in the 2017 SEA Games.
Thailand’s Promrob Juntima secured the bronze with 16.40 meters, and after claiming the gold at 17.42 meters two years ago.