By el Amigo
With several events still to be contested, Team Philippines is keeping its medal hopes alive in the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games despite the early exits of swimmer Jamesray Ajido and wushu campaigner Angel Polo.
The Filipino delegation is seeking another memorable performance in the international youth competition, where the country’s athletes have twice reached the podium in previous editions.
Luis Gabriel Moreno made history by winning gold in mixed-team archery alongside China’s Li Jiaman at the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing. Four years later, Christian Tio delivered a silver-medal finish in boys’ kiteboarding at the 2018 Buenos Aires Games.
While Moreno’s gold was awarded to a mixed international team and was not included in the Philippines’ official national medal tally, Tio’s silver became the country’s first officially credited Youth Olympic Games medal.
The challenge in Dakar is to produce another breakthrough as the remaining Filipino athletes prepare for their respective competitions.
Ajido, one of the country’s flag bearers, finished fifth in the men’s 100-meter butterfly final after clocking 55.16 seconds.
He also placed seventh in the 50m butterfly final with 25.49 seconds and 26th among 55 swimmers in the 50m freestyle with 25.02 seconds.
Polo likewise missed the podium after finishing fifth in the women’s taijiquan combined event with 18.276 points on November 4.
The 15-year-old registered 9.026 in taijishan but suffered a 0.20-point deduction following a balance error. She bounced back with 9.250 in taijiquan but could not break into the medal positions.
Filipina swimmer Riannah Coleman also settled for seventh in the women’s 200m breaststroke final in 2:45.70, improving her qualifying time by approximately two seconds.
She later withdrew from the 100m breaststroke after experiencing breathing difficulties. The Philippine aquatics team opted to prioritize her recovery ahead of the 50m breaststroke scheduled for November 5.
The country’s gymnastics campaign will feature Hillarion Palles III and Tchelzy Mei Maayo, who have arrived in Dakar with coaches Reyland Capellan and Kazutaka Hakamada.
Palles is scheduled to compete in the men’s qualification on November 7, while Maayo takes her turn in the women’s qualification on November 8.
Cyclist Maritanya “Ems” Krog is also bound for Senegal after departing Manila on Wednesday night via Istanbul. She will compete in the women’s road cycling and individual time trial events.
The athletics contingent will feature Pi Durden Wangkay in the men’s 200m and Naomi Marjorie Caesar in the women’s 800m, while windsurfer Jade Justiniane will represent the country in sailing.
With the Games running until November 13, the remaining Filipino bets have an opportunity to add another chapter to the country’s Youth Olympic Games history and bring home a podium finish for the nation.
