Dakar:Nine Filipinos are ready to compete in the 4th Youth Olympic Games (YOG) scheduled from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar, Senegal. Representing the Philippines are Pi Durden Wangkay in the men's 200m and Naomi Marjorie Caesar in the women's 800m for athletics, Jamesray Mishael Ajido in the men's 100m butterfly and Riannah Chantelle Coleman in the women's 100m breaststroke for aquatics, Maritanya Krog in cycling events, Tchelzy Maayo and Hillarion Palles III in artistic gymnastics, Angel Polo in wushu, and Jade Justiniane in windsurfing.
According to Philippines News Agency, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino highlighted the potential of these athletes, stating that they are future Olympians and world champions. The Dakar YOG is seen as an opportunity for them to follow in the footsteps of the country's Olympic gold medalists, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and Carlos Yulo.
Wangkay secured a gold medal in the men's 200m at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain last October and also triumphed in the same event at the 2025 Bangkok Southeast Asian Games. Caesar garnered a silver medal in the girls' 800m event at the Asian Youth Games. Ajido earned a bronze in the 50m butterfly at the 12th Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
The delegation is led by Philippine Taekwondo Association Secretary-General Raul "Rocky" Samson as the Chef de Mission. This edition of the YOG follows the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games, where the Philippines improved its performance with four gold, nine silver, and 16 bronze medals, and precedes the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, taking place from December 13 to 21.
Historically, the Philippines has won two medals in the YOG a mixed international team event gold in archery by Luis Gabriel Moreno with China's Li Jiaman in Nanjing 2014, and a silver by Christian Tio in boys' twin-tip racing of kiteboarding in Buenos Aires 2018. The YOG, first held in Singapore in 2010, is organized every four years, and the Dakar edition marks the first time it is being held on African soil. Approximately 2,700 athletes from over 200 National Olympic Committees, including a Youth Refugee Olympic Team, will participate across 25 competition and 10 engagement sports.
