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Tag: ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships

  • PSC commends ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championship as turning point for grassroots sports development 

    PSC commends ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championship as turning point for grassroots sports development 

    What unfolded over five days at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium was more than a national championship—it was, for Philippine sports leaders, a blueprint for the future.

     

    Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio praised the successful staging of the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championship.

     

    “The seamless organization of this championship shows how far Philippine athletics has come. Patafa has proven that with vision and discipline, we can stage world-class events right here at home,” PSC Chairman Gregorio said.

     

    The inclusion of an Under-20 division alongside the Under-18 and Open/Elite categories became one of the most significant developments of the meet, signaling a clearer pathway for young athletes transitioning to senior competition. 

     

    For Gregorio, the expansion represents a long-term commitment rather than a short-term adjustment.

     

    He described the addition as a “bold investment in the future of our young athletes,” emphasizing how structured age-group competition can help bridge the gap between grassroots programs and elite international participation.

     

    “Patafa has a very good, well-defined grassroots and talent identification program,” he added.

     

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    Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Terry Capistrano echoed that direction, stressing the importance of giving younger athletes more exposure to high-level competition. 

     

    He explained that the Under-20 category was introduced to ensure continuity in athlete development while preparing them for the demands of international competition.

     

    Capistrano revealed a verbal agreement for a dual program between PATAFA and Korea Junior Athletics Federation (KJAF), which includes an open invitation for Filipino athletes to train at world-class facilities in Yecheon, South Korea.

     

    “This partnership with Korea is a game-changer. Our athletes will gain access to world-class training environments, and in return, we strengthen ties with one of Asia’s most dynamic athletics programs,” Capistrano said. 

     

    PATAFA Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco further outlined the vision behind the collaboration, describing it as an exchange program designed to benefit both countries’ young athletes. Under the proposal, Filipino student-athletes will compete in Korea while Korean athletes are also expected to take part in competitions in the Philippines.

     

    The momentum from the championship is expected to carry forward into future international hosting duties, with PATAFA set to stage the Asian Under-18 Athletics Championships in April 2027 at the same New Clark City venue following the National Open.

     

    This year’s edition of the meet also highlighted its growing international footprint, drawing 1,015 athletes, including 95 competitors from nine countries—the United States, Canada, Samoa, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Chinese Taipei—underscoring the Philippines’ rising role as a regional hub for athletics competition.

     

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  • Leonard Grospe raises the bar again, breaks own Philippine record with 2.23-meter leap

    Leonard Grospe raises the bar again, breaks own Philippine record with 2.23-meter leap

    The Asian Beach Games gold medalist and 33rd Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, Leonard Grospe once again rewrote the national record books after clearing 2.23 meters to dominate the 2026 ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships in Tarlac.


    The 24-year-old needed only one attempt to clear the historic height, eclipsing the previous Philippine record of 2.22 meters that he himself established just a month ago. 

     

    What was once considered a breakthrough has quickly become a stepping stone as Grospe continues to push the limits of Philippine high jump.

     

    “Sobrang masaya ako (ma-break ang record) kasi eto po yung standard sa last Asian Jumps,” said Grospe.

     

    His performance did not stop there. With the national record already secured, Grospe raised the bar to 2.25 meters in pursuit of another milestone. 

     

    Although he was unable to clear the height, the attempt reflected the confidence that has grown within his camp following a series of remarkable performances over the past two years.

     

    Watching from the sidelines was coach Sean Guevarra, whose own national record of 2.17 meters stood untouched for 19 years before Grospe finally surpassed it with a 2.20-meter leap during the 2023 edition of the same competition.

     

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    “Actually yung target namin this year is 2.25, kasi nakikita namin sa preparation namin during training na capable siya mag-jump ng ganun kataas,” Guevarra said.

     

    “We aim to stretch that to as high as 2.30 meters para lumakas pa yung kanyang explosiveness,” Grospe’s coach added. 

     

    Earlier this year, Grospe delivered one of Philippine athletics’ biggest international victories when he captured gold at the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China.

     

     Competing on sand rather than a traditional track-and-field surface, he cleared 2.05 meters to secure the country’s second gold medal of the competition, demonstrating an ability to adapt under unfamiliar conditions.

     

    His latest record also continues a trend that has become increasingly evident throughout the season. Rather than producing one standout performance, Grospe has shown a steady upward trajectory, improving from 2.20 meters to 2.22 meters and now 2.23 meters. Each competition has become another chapter in a climb that appears far from over.

     

    The next challenge awaits at the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan this September, where Grospe hopes to test himself against some of the continent’s best. 

     

    Guevarra believes overseas training and intensive camps could help sharpen the technical aspects of his event and unlock even greater heights.

     

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  • ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships to feature nearly 1,000 athletes in New Clark City

    ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships to feature nearly 1,000 athletes in New Clark City

    The ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships are set to return to the world-class New Clark Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, with nearly 1,000 athletes expected to compete in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant track and field events in the country this year.

     

    The national championship will bring together the Philippines’ top track and field talent, with a strong mix of established national pool athletes, rising grassroots standouts, and international competitors adding depth and intensity to the meet. As of the latest tally, 870 Filipino athletes from the national team pool and various local clubs have already confirmed their participation, with the number expected to rise as final entries are completed.

     

    Joining the local contingent is a growing international field featuring athletes from Chinese-Taipei, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Samoa, South Korea, and the United States of America, further elevating the level of competition and giving the event a more global stage.

     

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    South Korea leads the international delegations in terms of numbers, sending 15 athletes who will compete across multiple disciplines, including the highly competitive Under-18 and Under-20 divisions. Papua New Guinea follows with 12 athletes, while Indonesia and Singapore will each field 10 representatives, underscoring the regional interest in the Philippine-hosted meet.

     

    “So far, we already had 945 registered athletes for the competition and we could hit 1,000 once the complete list is in,” Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco said in a media interaction.

     

    The expected milestone of nearly 1,000 participants reflects the continued growth of the sport in the country and the increasing appeal of the championships as a regional competitive hub. Officials believe the surge in participation is a strong indicator of the event’s rising stature within Asian athletics.

    For the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), the championship serves a dual purpose—serving as the country’s premier national meet while also functioning as a developmental platform for both elite and emerging athletes.

     

    PATAFA president Terry Capistrano emphasized the broader significance of the event beyond medals and records, highlighting its role in strengthening the sport’s foundation in the country.

     

    “The ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championship is more than just a premier showcase of talent, it is a vital ecosystem for the growth of Philippine track and field. Gathering our nation’s finest athletes alongside international contenders at a world-class venue like New Clark City raises the competitive bar for everyone.

     

    “This championship provides a crucial platform for our elite athletes to sharpen their form, while simultaneously opening doors for grassroots discoveries to step into the spotlight and prove they belong on the big stage,” Capistrano added.

     

    The New Clark Athletics Stadium, a World Athletics-certified facility, will once again host the event for the second consecutive year, reinforcing its status as the country’s premier venue for international-standard track and field competition. Its state-of-the-art facilities and regulation-compliant track have made it a preferred destination for major athletics meets in the region.

     

    Beyond national pride, the championships also carry added significance as part of the qualification pathway for major international competitions, including the 20th Asian Games. Performances here are expected to play a key role in shaping the Philippine national team roster moving forward.

     

    With a growing international presence, a deep local field, and high stakes across multiple divisions, the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships promise to be a defining moment for Philippine track and field as it continues to push toward regional competitiveness and global relevance.

     

     

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