By REYNALD MAGALLON
Young tracksters Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Cesar have earned slots to the Philippine athletics team in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa)) announced Friday, Nov. 7.
The two sprinters were coming off strong performances in the third Asian Youth Games in Bahrain with Wangkay winning the gold in the boys’ 200-meter dash while Cesar bagged the silver in the girl’s 800m event.
Wangkay, 17, clocked 21.76 seconds while Cesar, 16, timed 2:08.69 – just a second shy of the gold medal but enough to reset her personal best.
The impressive showing convinced PATAFA that they are already ripe for the bigger stage.
“Young faces of Philippine athletics have already arrived, and they delivered gold and silver medals in Bahrain’s third Asian Youth Games. They are the future of Philippine athletics, and we are all excited to see them compete,” PATAFA Secretary-General Jasper Tanhueco said.
Cesar also qualified for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, Portland, USA from August 5 to 9, 2026.
“They are the youngest and we are all proud to give them the opportunity to compete in SEA Games this December to boost their morale and confidence,” added Patafa President Capistrano added. “They are both hard working athletes and they really deserved the slots.”
The SEA Games stint is seen as a huge opportunity for the two to get valuable experience and exposure before they vie for spots in the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.
“Mainly, to give him exposure and experience in preparation for the Youth Olympics and other junior competitions next year,” Tanhueco said. “Pi and Naomi represent the bright future of Philippine athletics, and we will do everything we can to support them.”
