PHILIPPINE Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Dr. Philip Ella Juico is confident Kristina Knott will soon break the qualifying time for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Knott clinched the 100 meters silver medal in the 93rd Clyde Littlefield Relay in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, clocking 11.54 seconds to finish closely behind gold medalist Kiana Parker (11.20 seconds) of the US.
The Tokyo Olympics qualifying time for the century dash is 11.15 seconds.
“This is a big boost,” Juico told BusinessMirror Sports in a phone interview on Monday. “She’s just getting started and I’m sure she’ll eventually make it there (Tokyo).”
According to Juico, the 25-year-old Knott encountered personal issues earlier and had to shake them off to get to fighting form.
“There were many distractions which prevented her from going full-blast,” Juico said. “But there is more to it than that, this is a positive development.”
The Texas race was Knott’s first outdoor stint in seven months.
“She still has many high quality competitions to join. It will all be worth it once she qualifies.”
In August last year, Knott broke the 28-year-old national record of 11.28 seconds set by the legendary Lydia De Vega in the women’s 100 meters when she clocked 11.27 seconds at the Drake Blue Oval Showcase in Iowa.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist will compete in the 100 and 200 meters at the Pure Athletics in Florida on Saturday, also looking to break the Olympic qualifying mark of 22.80 seconds in the 200 meters.
She will also compete in the Miramir Invitational on April 10, Gainesville on April 17, both in Florida, and finally at the 10th Savona International Meeting in Italy on May 13.