Kristina Knott’s record-breaking run still short for 2020 Olympics

Filipino-American sprinter Kristina Knott will have to try her luck for an Olympic bid some other time.

Knott set a new national record of 23.30 seconds in the Southeast Asian Games women's 200-meter dash on Sunday, landing her a gold medal. She surpassed legend Lydia de Vega's national record of 23.35 seconds, which stood for 33 years.

Knott also set a new SEA Games record with the performance, surpassing the 23.30 seconds set by Supavadee Khawpeag of Thailand in 2001.

But despite her record-breaking performance, she still failed to qualify for an Olympic berth since the cutoff was a bit faster at 22.8 seconds.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online 

Knott admitted in an interview with Ivan Mayrina on GMA News' Unang Balita Wednesday that she was frustrated when she crossed the finished line because she did not hit the Olympic standard.

But she added that the Olympic dream is still within reach.

"The goal is just to keep competing. I can't sit around and just expect the time to drop. I got to keep competing and it will come," she said.

She also shared that one of the hardest parts of competing in the Philippines is being away from her family and friends.

"Being so far away from home, not being able to go home as much as I want to, that's probably the biggest sacrifice," she said.

Knott was not recruited and instead volunteered to don the colors of the country.

She said it was an opportunity for her to learn her Filipino side. Her mother is from Imus, Cavite, while her dad was an American citizen.

"I grew up in America so what better way to learn my culture is by representing them," she said.

For now, Knott said she is preparing for the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in February.

Knott has already delivered two gold medals in the women's 200-meter run and 4x100-meter mixed relay.

She added two silver medals in the women's 100-meter sprint and 4x100-meter relay. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News