The Philippines will head to the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games with a compact but promising squad, as the country’s delegation for Dakar, Senegal is now officially complete.
Nine of the nation’s brightest young athletes will carry the Philippine flag when the Youth Olympics open later this year, representing six different sports in hopes of adding to the country’s modest medal history in the prestigious international event.
The final pieces of the roster fell into place after the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines endorsed artistic gymnasts Tchelzy Maayo and Hillarion Palles III, completing the Philippine Olympic Committee’s nine-athlete contingent.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence that the country’s next generation of athletes is ready to compete against the world’s best.
“They’re the rising stars of Philippine sports. We are hoping for a podium finish and of course, we are praying for the gold. This is a fighting team and I believe they will do their best,” Tolentino said.
Leading the delegation are two of the country’s most accomplished young track stars.
Asian Youth Games champions Pi Durden Wangkay, who struck gold in the men’s 200 meters, and Naomi Cesar, the women’s 800-meter silver medalist, headline the athletics squad after earning their places earlier this year.
Swimming will also have strong Philippine representation through Jamesray Mishael Ajido, who qualified in the men’s 100-meter butterfly, and Riannah Chantelle Coleman, who booked her spot in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke following standout performances in the Palarong Pambansa.
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The Philippines will have two young swimmers in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after Riannah Chantelle Coleman and Jamesray Ajido booked their spots in the regional competition.#2026YouthOlympicGames pic.twitter.com/FhK136OaCT
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 8, 2026
Joining them are windsurfer Jade Justiniane, cyclist Mariyanya Kong, who will compete in both the women’s road race and individual time trial, and wushu taolu athlete Angel Polo, who will represent the country in the women’s Taijiquan combined event.
The delegation will be headed by Philippine Taekwondo Association president Rocky Samson.
Despite limited participation through the years, the Philippines has produced memorable moments in Youth Olympic history.
The country’s lone individual Youth Olympic medal came in Buenos Aires in 2018, when Filipino-Norwegian kiteboarder Christian Tio captured silver in the boys’ twin tip racing event.
Four years earlier in Nanjing, Luis Gabriel Moreno delivered the Philippines’ first Youth Olympic gold after teaming up with China’s Li Jiaman to win the mixed international team archery competition.
This year’s edition will once again provide the country’s rising stars with an opportunity to test themselves on the global stage while gaining valuable experience ahead of future senior international competitions.
The 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar, Senegal, featuring approximately 2,700 athletes competing across 25 sports.
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