EJ Obiena will lead the 24-member Philippine athletics team at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where he will defend his men’s pole vault title and seek to surpass his own Asian Games record.
The competition begins Wednesday at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Terry Capistrano said the team has been preparing for the competition despite rainy conditions in Nagoya.
“It is very difficult to gauge or make any prediction about our medal chances. But we believe our quality athletes will surprise us,” Capistrano said.
Obiena, who holds the Asian record of 6.00 meters, also owns the Asian Games record of 5.90 meters, which he established at the Hangzhou Games three years ago.
Among the other athletes expected to contend for medals are John Cabang Tolentino, Lauren Hoffman and Victoria Bossong.
Tolentino is the 2025 Southeast Asian Games champion in the hurdles and an Olympian, while Hoffman is also an Olympian. Filipino-American Bossong is expected by PATAFA coaches to challenge for a podium finish in the middle-distance events.
Other members of the Philippine athletics delegation include Yacine Guermali and Sonny Wagdos in the 5,000 meters, Wagdos also in the marathon, Richard Solaño and Artjoy Torregosa in the marathon, and Neil Michael Catral in the 200 meters.
The roster also includes Anfernee Lorena in the 100 meters; Jessica Rose Laurence in the women’s 100 meters; Zion Rose Nelson in the women’s 100 and 200 meters; Kristina Marie Knott, Frederick Ramirez and Pamala del Prado in relays; Hussein Loraña in the 800 meters; Naomi Johnson in the 200 meters; and Diana and Michael Arcen in relay events.
Veterans Janry Ubas and Leonard Grospe will compete in the long jump and high jump, respectively, while Gabriel Borado is entered in the 400 meters, Nathaniel Seiler in the marathon race walk, and Kent Francis Jardin in the 100 meters and relays.
“All these athletes are capable of making the final round,” Capistrano said. “It is incredibly challenging, so we will take it from there and hopefully finish on the podium.”
Except for Obiena and Guermali, the athletes trained at Nippon Sports Science University from September 14 to 20 before traveling to Nagoya.
