16-year-old athletics aces Pi Durden Wangkay, Naomi Cesar earn SEA Games slots

Runners Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Cesar have earned their spots in Team Philippines' delegation for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

Wangkay and Cesar both captured medals at the recently-concluded Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Bahrain, paving the way for their inclusion in the country's athletics team.

The 16-year-old Wangkay seized a gold medal in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.76 seconds and will now compete in the same event come the biennial meet.

Cesar, another 16-year-old ace, brought home a silver in the girls’ 800-m final after finishing just a second  behind gold medalist Jinping Song of China, who clocked in 2:07.84 in the Asian Youth Games.

With their feats, Wangkay and Cesar became the youngest members of the Philippine athletics team for the SEA Games, which will run from December 9 to 20 in various cities in Thailand. 

“Young faces of Philippine athletics have already arrived, and they delivered gold and silver medals in Bahrain’s third Asian Youth Games. They are the future of Philippine athletics, and we are all excited to see them compete,” PATAFA secretary general Jasper Tanhueco said.

“President Terry Capistrano is very pleased with the progress of its youth programs.”

PATAFA added that Wangkay will be a reserve for the 4x100 relay while both athletes will be gearing up to qualify for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal from October 31 to November 13.

“Mainly, to give him exposure and experience in preparation for the Youth Olympics and other junior competitions next year,” Tanhueco added. 

“Pi and Naomi represent the bright future of Philippine athletics, and we will do everything we can to support them.”

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News