MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will send a nine-athlete delegation to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal this October after the country’s gymnastics federation finalized its artistic gymnastics entries.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence in the team, describing the athletes as rising stars of Philippine sports.
“We are hoping for a podium finish and, of course, we are praying for the gold,” Tolentino said. “This is a fighting team and I believe they will do their best.”
Artistic gymnasts Hilarrion Palles III and Tchelzy Mei Maayo complete the Philippine roster, joining athletes who previously qualified for the Games.
The delegation also includes sprinters Pi Durden Wangkay (men’s 200 meters) and Naomi Marjorie Caesar (women’s 800 meters), swimmers Riannah Chantelle Coleman (women’s 100-meter breaststroke) and Jamesray Mishael Ajido (men’s 100-meter butterfly), cyclist Maritanya Krog (women’s road race and individual time trial), wushu athlete Angel Polo (women’s taijiquan combined) and sailor Jade Justiniane (men’s windsurfing).
The Youth Olympic Games, which feature athletes aged 15 to 18, were first held in Singapore in 2010, followed by Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018.
The Philippines’ best result in the event remains a silver medal won by Filipino-Norwegian kiteboarder Christian Tio in the boys’ twin tip racing event at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games.
