Filipino sport climbers Joaquin Torres and Praj Dela Cruz delivered record-breaking performances on the international stage after rewriting Philippine speed climbing marks at the 2026 World Climbing Youth Championship in Arco, Italy, on Tuesday, July 21.
The two young athletes showcased the continued rise of Philippine climbing by setting new national records against some of the best youth climbers in the world, highlighting the country’s growing presence in the sport.
Torres made history in the men’s Under-19 speed climbing qualification round, clocking an impressive time of 5.97 seconds to break the previous Philippine record of 6.08 seconds set by John Forones during the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, in April.
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The performance marked a significant milestone for the young climber, who became the first Filipino to dip below the six-second mark in the event. However, despite his record-setting run, Torres narrowly missed advancing further in the competition, finishing 23rd among 56 climbers in the qualification stage.
Dela Cruz also delivered a memorable performance, breaking her own national record not once but twice in the women’s speed climbing event.
The 15-year-old first surpassed her previous benchmark of 9.390 seconds, which she established during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, before lowering the mark further with times of 8.982 seconds and 9.169 seconds at the world championship.
TORRES BREAKS RECORD 🇵🇭
Joaquin Torres clocks in 5.97 seconds, setting a new PH national record in men’s speed climbing at the World Climbing Youth Championship in Arco.
The previous record was 6.08 seconds set by John Forones in the Asian Beach Games. (📸: John Aquino) pic.twitter.com/PgM44xaILu
— Paige Javier (@PaigeJavier) July 21, 2026
Her achievement marked another breakthrough for one of the Philippines’ most promising young climbing talents, who continues to push the limits of the sport while gaining valuable international experience.
Following her historic performance, Dela Cruz expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her journey and described the achievement as a meaningful milestone in her development as an athlete.
“It took me seven months to officially beat my previous personal best, and finally joining the Sub-9 club is something I have worked toward for a long time. I’m grateful to see that hard work pay off. At the same time, I know there’s still so much room to grow. This isn’t the destination – it’s another step in the journey. We will keep learning, keep training, and keep representing our country with pride,” Dela Cruz wrote in an Instagram post.
Despite setting a new national record, Dela Cruz faced a highly competitive field and finished 24th out of 39 climbers in the Under-17 women’s speed climbing event.
She also competed in the Under-17 women’s lead climbing category, where she placed 52nd among 103 participants, gaining additional experience against top young climbers from around the world.
The performances of Torres and Dela Cruz continue the upward trajectory of Philippine sport climbing, a discipline that has gained increased attention in the country following major international achievements in recent years.
While their campaigns in Arco ended without podium finishes, the national records serve as a strong indication of the potential of the Philippines’ next generation of climbers.
The 2026 World Climbing Youth Championship will continue until Saturday, July 25, with young athletes from across the globe competing in speed, lead, and bouldering events.
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