Calatagan: Thailand's Naprichit Pudla and Estonia's Trina Trei topped their respective divisions in the ICTSI-Philippine Kiteboarding Tour (PKT) Season 11 freestyle category in Calatagan, Batangas recently. Pudla and Trei delivered gravity-defying tricks, technical handle passes, massive spins, and perfectly executed flips to seize top honors in the kickoff leg of the three-stage circuit.

According to Philippines News Agency, the opening leg underscored the growing depth of Filipino talent, a testament to the Philippine Kiteboarding Association's sustained grassroots and development programs. At the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Waner Janoya won a bronze medal in Foil Racing, proving that local riders can now measure up against the best in the region.

"Kiteboarding in the Philippines has evolved from a niche hobby into a serious competitive sport where Filipinos can truly shine on the world stage. Seeing athletes like Janoya win a SEA Games medal validates everything we are building," Philippine Kiteboarding Association president Jay Ortiz said in a news release Thursday. Ortiz said the PKT serves as the backbone of that progress.

"The PKT is the heartbeat of our development program. It's where we discover and hone the next generation of champions -from our 50-plus Grandmasters to our Novice riders. At the same time, we are promoting the Philippines as a top-tier sports tourism destination with world-class conditions," he said.

Aside from the marquee Freestyle events, titles were also contested in Hangtime, Twin Tip Racing, and Foil Racing, along with divisions for men's and women's Grandmasters (50+) and Novice riders. The categories reflect the PKT's thrust to cultivate talent across all ages and skill levels while ensuring a clear pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition.

With Janoya's SEA Games success serving as inspiration, many of them now train with renewed belief that Filipino kiteboarders can compete -and win- on the global stage.