Pinoy Athletics

⚡ A Historical 45-Year-Old Record Shattered! ⚡

Ivan Cabanda closed the curtain on one of the most memorable records in Philippine athletics history! 🇵🇭🏃‍♂️💨 Clocking a phenomenal 51.54 seconds over the men's 91.4cm hurdles, Cabanda’s masterclass performance finally broke the long-standing 52.19-second junior 400m Hurdles record set 45 years ago! 🤯🔥

Back in December 1981, a 19-year-old Jaime Grafilo famously conquered the event from lane 8 to clock that 52.19 and become the 1981 SEA Games Champion right here in Manila. Ironically, Cabanda also set his new historic record from lane 8! Today, a new legacy begins. 🤯🔥

Competing at the 2026 ICTSI Philippines National Athletics Championships in New Clark City, Ivan's blistering performance puts him well under the World Junior qualifying standard of 53.00 seconds—a mark he has now comfortably achieved multiple times. Next stop: the World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA this August 5–9! ✈️🇺🇸

While some media outlets repeatedly insist on calling him the "next Eric Cray," let's skip the comparisons. Let's just let him be the first Ivan Cabanda. 🫡⭐

Coaches, we tip our hats to Junrey Bano, who brilliantly guides and coaches Ivan at the University of Santo Tomas (UST)! 🐯🎩👏

Event 125: 400m Hurdle | U20 Men | Final (Revised)
2026 ICTSI Philippines National Athletics Championships
New Clark City Athletics Stadium

1️⃣ Cabanda, Ivan | University of Santo Tomas | 51.54 | GOLD (New PHI U20 Record / World U20 Qualifier)
2️⃣ Cantil, Jericho Rain | University of the East | 53.58 | SILVER
3️⃣ Sunico, Michael | University of Santo Tomas | 53.97 | BRONZE
4️⃣ Luzon, Carl James | Far Eastern University | 54.42 |
5️⃣ Carbonell, John Edward | Baguio City | 54.42 |
6️⃣ Belardo, Venmark | Santa Rosa City Laguna | 55.68 |
7️⃣ Kilat, Justin Arth | University of Santo Tomas | 55.76 |
8️⃣ Ogot, Andrei | Ilocos Norte | 56.24 |



Photo and Video Credit to PATAFA

Tracksters get timely boost ahead of Asian Games, LA 2028

SANTO TOMAS, Batangas – Athletic stars got a timely boost as they seek to elevate their play and deliver golden moments on local and international stage.
Pinoy Athletics founder Andrew Pirie presented the team composed of elite and rising stars who will all benefit from the generous sponsorship of Mega Prime Foods Inc.

Among those were sprinters King Christian Naguit and Angelica Poche Belendares who led Pinoy Athletics' haul of three gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the recent Philippine Athletic Championships
“We’re happy with the result, but we continue to work on our team, especially the youngsters, we have the opportunity to build this young team,” said Pirie on Tuesday, June 16.

“I’m hoping this starts a beautiful journey of this partnership. There are lots of athletes in the Philippines, especially Mindanao and Visayas, with the help of Mega Sardines and Mega Tuna, we’re able to reach those athletes,” he added.

Apart from the spotlight gained by the young guns, Pirie also revealed that one of their top athletes in Zion Corrales Nelson is all set for her bid to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Nelson holds the women's 100-meter national record after clocking 11.19 seconds in California last month.

For Elenn Manalang, Mega Prime Integrated Marketing Communications Senior Manager, extending their help is a no-brainer especially if it is for the flag and country
“We’ve been supporting talaga several advocacies… mostly into social responsibilities… more on nutrition talaga ang pinaka-advocacy namin. Itong partnership namin with Pinoy Athletics, ‘to ‘yong first time na magkaroon kami with sport [group] kaya we’re excited. It’s a fitting kasi parte ng buhay atleta is to really have the nourishment they need to compete properlly. Hopefully, in the future sila ‘yong mga future champions natin.”

https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/16/tracksters-get-timely-boost-ahead-of-asian-games-la-2028

Tracksters get timely boost ahead of Asian Games, LA 2028 SANTO TOMAS, Batangas – Athletic stars got a timely boost as they seek to elevate their play and deliver golden moments on local and international stage.Pinoy...