Philippines records historic medal haul at Asian Youth Games 

The Philippines is rewriting history at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, surging toward its best-ever finish behind a wave of breakthrough performances from a new generation of Filipino athletes. Halfway through the meet, the national delegation has already eclipsed its previous medal record, powered by standout displays in track and field, combat sports, and weightlifting.

The defining moment came when PI Durden Wangkay, a 5-foot-11 sprinter from Mindanao, delivered a stunning performance in the boys’ 200-meter dash.

Blazing past Chinese Taipei’s Chao-feng Chu, the 17-year-old clinched the Philippines’ third gold medal of the Games — setting a new national record for the most golds in AYG history. 

Wangkay, who also reigned supreme in the 100m and 200m at the Palarong Pambansa, combined raw speed with composure to seal the country’s place among Asia’s rising athletic powers.

His triumph set the tone for an inspired day as Naomi Cesar followed with a silver in the girls’ 800m, boosting the nation’s total to three golds, three silvers, and four bronzes — enough to vault the Philippines to seventh place among 45 participating nations. 

As of the latest tally, powerhouse China leads the table with 26 golds, trailed by Uzbekistan, Iran, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Chinese Taipei.

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GOLD AND SILVER FOR PHILIPPINES

Athletics standouts Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Cesar score a gold and silver, respectively, for the Philippines in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. | via Delfin Dioquino/Rappler https://t.co/ZKsYfZBCHA pic.twitter.com/mGLBM3LTlb

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) October 25, 2025

“Let’s pray for more (golds), but we have complete trust in our athletes,” said Chef de Mission Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who was present at the Isa Sports City track to witness the medal wins. His optimism reflects the growing confidence in the Philippine contingent, which continues to deliver across multiple sports.

The nation’s golden push began earlier in the week with victories from Kram Airam Carpio in pencak silat and Charlie Ratcliff in traditional MMA. The momentum carried over with podium finishes by Kristen Aguila (taekwondo poomsae), Travis Ratcliff (traditional MMA), and several bronze-medal achievers including Aeden Cereno, the teqball duo Crystal Carino and Nicole Tabucol, Alexander Tagure Jr., and John Brix Ramiscal and Tyron Jamborillo in muay thai.

Adding to the strong campaign, Leo Mhar Lobrido punched his way into the semifinals of the boys’ light flyweight boxing division, assuring another medal for Team Philippines after a gritty win over Sri Lanka’s Binul Dulnada Dewasiri Narayana. 

In weightlifting, Princess Jay Ann Diaz, niece of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, bagged bronze in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk with a solid 78kg lift — a promising sign of the sport’s next generation.

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