The Philippines is turning to a new generation of athletes as it begins shaping its campaign for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Senegal later this year.
Still years away from entering their athletic primes, cyclist Maritanya Krog and track standouts Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Marjorie Cesar have already emerged as early faces of the country’s youth movement heading into the global meet scheduled from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar.
The three athletes currently headline the initial batch of Filipino bets set to represent the country in the Youth Olympics, with more names still expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
“They have been nominated by their respective national sports associations (NSAs) and we’re awaiting six more nominations,” said Abraham Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The International Olympic Committee allotted the Philippines nine universality slots for the Games, covering athletics, cycling, gymnastics, swimming, windsurfing, and wushu.
While the country’s senior athletes continue preparing for major continental competitions, Dakar offers something different — a glimpse into the athletes potentially carrying Philippine sports into the next decade.
Among the most promising is Krog, who has steadily built her reputation in Philippine cycling through dominant performances in Batang Pinoy and national championship competitions.
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Her sixth-place finish in last year’s Asian Youth Games in Bahrain further strengthened her case for inclusion, while recent experience against elite Asian riders in the Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships showed both her current level and long-term potential.
“She has the potential although we need to raise the level of her training program for Senegal,” said Tolentino, who also heads PhilCycling.
Meanwhile, Wangkay and Cesar already arrive with proven international credentials of their own.
Wangkay captured gold in the boys’ 200 meters during the Asian Youth Games, while Cesar secured silver in the girls’ 800 meters behind a Chinese competitor, giving the Philippines rare podium finishes in youth athletics on the continental stage.
All three athletes are only 17 years old — perfectly fitting the Youth Olympics’ age requirement for competitors between 15 and 18 years old.
For Philippine sports, Dakar may ultimately become more than just another international tournament.
It could become the first major stage for the country’s next wave of stars.
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