Hoffman: Excited to represent the coubtry again.
Hoffman to show wares in Glasgow
FIT as a fiddle.
That’s how Filipino-American star Lauren Hoffman describes her condition on the eve of the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Hoffman, one of only three Filipino athletes representing the country in the prestigious competition, will compete in the women’s 400-meter event.
“I am so excited to compete at the Worlds and represent the Philippines,” Hoffman told Europe-based Alona Cochon in an exclusive interview.
“Since the 400 is not my main event, I never would have thought I’d get to compete at such a high stage this indoor season. It is truly an honor to compete and wear the Philippine uniform,” added Hoffman, who is best remembered for clocking 53.71 seconds at the 2024 Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational in South Carolina late last month.
“I know the competition will be tough but I will do everything I can to bring pride to the country.I am very grateful to President Terry (Capistrano), Sec Gen Jasper (Tanhueco), and the entire PATAFA staff.”
Added Hoffmann: “I have been training since November. I took a short break after the Asian Games in October and started training again shortly after for the indoor season. I opened up my season Jan 19 and competed at three meets, so I feel prepared to run another personal best and national record at the Indoor World Championships.”
Tanhueco said Hoffman’s performance in Glasgow is crucial.
“Although her main event is the 400m hurdles, participating in the 400m will still benefit her experience-wise and aid her pursuit of qualifying for the 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics,” Tanhueco said, who arrived with Hoffman in Glasgow last Wednesday.
So far, the Duke University standout has already eclipsed a national mark for the third time after also shattering the women’s 600m record at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia last month.
The Virginia native Hoffman also saw action at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year where she finished fifth in the 400m hurdles.
Hoffman also teamed up with Robyn Brown, Angel Frank and Maureen Schrijvers in finishing fifth in the women’s 4x400m relay also in Asiad.
Aside from Hoffman, the other two Filipino representaitves at the Worlds are hurdler John Cabang and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena.
Cabang will try his luck in the men’s 60m hurdles at 2 on March 2 at 6:10 p.m. (Manila time).
Obiena will be the last Filipino to compete on March 5 at 3 a.m. (Manila time).
