John Forones breaks Philippine speed climbing record at the 2026 Asian Beach Games 

Team Philippines continues to enjoy a strong and encouraging campaign in the 2026 Asian Beach Games, maintaining its position among the top-performing nations as competition progresses. With a current tally of eight medals—three golds, three silvers, and two bronzes—the Philippines remains fourth in the overall standings, a notable achievement given the relatively small size of its delegation and the high level of competition across multiple disciplines.

The country’s momentum carried into Wednesday, April 29, as Philippine athletes continued to make their mark in niche but fast-growing events. One of the standout performances came from sports climbing, where John Forones delivered a breakthrough result in the men’s individual speed climbing qualifying round. Forones stopped the clock at an impressive 6.08 seconds, setting a new Philippine national record in the process.

The previous mark of 7.5 seconds was held by teammate Juan Miguel Azupardo, which was established during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Forones’ new record represents a significant leap forward for the sport in the country, highlighting the rapid development of Filipino climbers on the international stage.

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Despite his record-setting run, Forones finished 28th overall in the qualifying round, reflecting the steep learning curve in a highly competitive field dominated by more experienced international climbers. Still, the 19-year-old remains optimistic about his trajectory and the future of the sport in the Philippines.

“I definitely worked hard for it. Same with my teammates. I think climbing as a whole, speed climbing in particular, since it’s my initial sport, it’s up for me here to do my best. It doesn’t get any light in the Philippines. I’m excited for the future and what I can bring to the country,” Forones said in a media interaction.

In the relay event, Forones teamed up with Azupardo, but the duo could only manage a 17th-place finish after clocking 15.47 seconds. While the result fell short of podium contention, the pair’s participation continues to build valuable international exposure for a developing program still finding its footing in competitive speed climbing.

WATCH: Filipino speed climber John Forones breaks the Philippine national record after clocking a blazing 6.08 seconds during the 6th Asian Beach Games sport climbing competition (Individual category) in Sanya, China on Tuesday, April 28. (🎥: John Aquino) | via @michael_delizo pic.twitter.com/xD7jVR0Rvn

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 28, 2026

Beyond his athletic progress, Forones’ journey into the sport adds a human layer to his rise. The 19-year-old is currently studying at De La Salle University and only recently joined the national team in 2025, when speed climbing was formally introduced in the Philippines.

He shared how his path into the sport began unexpectedly during childhood.

“I had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when I was a child like when I was eight years old so I had to take therapy. So, one day, we were walking at the SM By The Bay and there was a wall climbing event.

“We got intrigued and inquired about if there is a similar event in Cavite where we were living at that time. That’s where it started. I had a knack for it. For speed climbing, I only got to the national team last year because speed climbing was only introduced last year in the Philippines,” he explained.

His rapid rise underscores how quickly the discipline is evolving locally, especially as more structured training programs and international exposure opportunities become available for young Filipino climbers.

Head coach John Aquino praised the athletes’ commitment and the progress they have made in a short period of time, emphasizing that Forones’ record is a direct product of disciplined preparation and sacrifice.

“We saw their hard work. We had three boot camps in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. We were able to put up our own speed wall through the support of the Pilipinas Climbing (PCI) and the POC, and we were able to break a national record. Well deserved. He worked so hard for it. You can see the bruises on his hands and knees. Literally – blood, sweat, and tears,” Aquino stated.

As the Asian Beach Games continue, Team Philippines’ performances in emerging sports like speed climbing highlight both present competitiveness and long-term potential. While medal standings remain the immediate focus, the deeper story lies in the development of athletes like Forones—young competitors gaining experience on the international stage and steadily raising the standard of Philippine sport climbing for years to come.

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