Ivy League boy is leagues away from the rest

KIERAN Tuntivate (pic) is an Ivy League student, studying Economics in Harvard University in the United States.

The Thai-American is also an accomplished athlete, winning two gold medals at the SEA Games. He is a great example of how you can balance books and sports.

The 22-year-old had already picked up the gold in the 10,000m final on Friday but had no problems adding another in the 5,000m final yesterday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

He finished in a time of 14:31.15 to come in ahead of defending champion Nguyen Van Lai of Vietnam who clocked in at 14:32.42. Host runner Sonny Wagdos came in for the bronze at 14:34.73.

“I had hopes of coming here to get a medal but I really never thought that I would be able to go home with two golds. This is the first time I’m bringing something home for Thailand, so it’s a great feeling, ” said Kieran.

“This gives me lots of confidence and I hope to be able to qualify for the Olympics and to be able to represent Thailand and South-East Asia in Japan.”

Kieran will have to set a time of 13:13.50 (5,000m) and 27:28.00 (10,000m) respectively if he is to qualify for the Olympics.

He currently boasts personal bests of 13:58.77 and 28:45.61 in the two events.

Born in Washington DC to a Thai father and an American mother, he was raised in Thailand and went to school there from the age of four to eight before moving back to the States.

“My mother couldn’t make it here but my father and coach from Harvard have flown in from the US to support me. My family and coach have been a huge asset to me here and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Kieran is now looking for the next flight to the US as he has an exam next Wednesday.”There are always obstacles to being an athlete like trying to manage my time as a student athlete but my coach, family and teammates make it possible.”

Meanwhile in the 20km race walk, Indonesian Hendro Yap of Indonesia defended his gold medal from Kuala Lumpur 2017.

He finished on top in a time of 1:31:20 ahead of Vietnam’s Vo Xuan Vinh on 1:31:38. Third place went to Nyi Nyi Moe Mine of Myanmar on 1:33:25.

Host nation Philippines won the men’s javelin event through Melvin Calano who threw a distance of 72.86m for the gold. Indonesia’s Abdul Hafiz came in second with 71.00m and Vietnam’s Nguyen Hoai Van managed 70.88m for the bronze.