By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bernalyn Bejoy delivered a standout performance for the Philippines at the XXXIV Qosanov Memorial in Almaty, Kazakhstan, collecting two silver medals and leading the national athletics team’s medal haul over the weekend.

The 23-year-old Bacolodnon Bejoy showcased her dominance in the women’s 800 meters, clocking 2:12.27 to finish just fractions of a second behind Uzbekistan’s Irina Levina, who claimed gold in 2:12.07.

She then returned to the track to help secure the country’s lone bronze medal in the mixed 4×400-meter relay with Kharis Pantonial, Susan Ramadan and Hussein Loraña.

Loraña also made his mark in the men’s 800 meters, bagging a silver medal with a 1:52.69 finish behind Iran’s Ali Amirian (1:52.09).

Kazakhstan’s Nikita Izotov rounded out the podium with 1:53.97.

Earlier in the meet, veteran Janry Ubas opened the medal tally for the Philippines, taking silver in the men’s long jump with a 7.53-meter leap.

India’s Murali Sreeshankar claimed gold with 7.94 meters, while Azerbaijan’s Nazim Babayev secured bronze at 7.48 meters.

Clinton Bautista narrowly missed the podium in the men’s 100-meter hurdles, finishing fourth in 14.38 seconds behind Kazakhstan’s David Yefremov (13.99).

Other Filipino athletes also competed, with Ronnie Malipay placing sixth in the men’s triple jump, Anfernee Lopena finishing sixth in the men’s 100 meters, Pantonial ranking fourth in his heat in the men’s 400 meters, and Ramadan taking fifth in the women’s 1,500 meters.

Bejoy’s double-medal performance highlighted not only her individual talent but also her growing role as a leader in the Philippine track and field scene, with eyes now turning toward her potential on the bigger international stage./ASC, WDJ