He fell short of his target but Negrense strongman Arniel Ferrera once again proved the Southeast Asian Games hammer throw event remains his exclusive domain.

The 26-year-old from Manuling, Cauayan overpowered the field for the a third straight gold medal Saturday at the His Majesty the King 80 th Anniversary Stadium and Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand and also surpassed the SEA Games record he set in Manila in 2005.

But Ferrera felt no absolute satisfaction with his new record of 60.93 meters, which erased the old mark of 60.47m.

“My target was to breach the 63-meter mark,” the enlisted Air Force said in a text message to the DAILY STAR Saturday night.

Nevertheless, Ferrera said he is elated with his newest achievement, which he dedicated to his parents, Jenny and Fortunato and siblings, Jona, Sheila May, Kenneth Grace. Christelle Jane and John Albert and fiancé May Golveo, who support him in his athletic career.

An alumnus of Man-uling Elementary School , Saint Columban's Academy and Binalbagan Catholic College , Ferrera, whose athletic prowess was discovered by late Columban priest Colum O' Halpin, started training for hammer throw when he was 18.

Three years later, he won his first SEA Games gold medal in Hanoi, Vietnam, before following it up with that record-smashing feat in the Manila Games.

Ferrera admits this year's triumph did not come easy since he was not able to fully concentrate on training because of his duties with the Air Force.

In the buildup to the SEA Games, Ferrera trained for five hours five days a week in Baguio City for six months, joined the Hongkong Inter-City Meet and topped the Thailand Open in October.

He, however, lamented the late arrival of training equipment, especially his throwing shoes, which he said is not available in the Philippines.

Ferrera said he hopes his SEA Games victory will draw support for his plan to train in Europe next year.

“There's a great chance I will improve faster if I train in Europe ,” he added. *CPT

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