5 Olympians banner athletics team

MANILA, Philippines — Five Olympians will spearhead the Philippines’ drive for gold in athletics at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with pole vaulter EJ Obiena (2020, 2024), sprinter Kristina Knott (2020), marathon race walker Nathaniel Seiler (2020), 110m hurdler John Cabang (2024) and middle distance runner Lauren Hoffman (2024) leading the charge.

The delegation of eight women and 16 men will be bannered by eight US NCAA D1 standouts, three two-time Asian Gamers and three 2025 SEA Games gold medalists.  Making their first appearance wearing the Philippine colors are Fil-German Seiler, 30, middle distance specialist Victoria Bossong, 23, of Harvard University and 400m runner Gabriel Borado, 23, of Eastern Michigan University.  Seiler competed for Germany in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has been cleared to switch sporting nationalities to the Philippines.

The women are Artjoy Torregosa, 27 (marathon), Jessica Laurance, 22 (100m, 4x100m, 4x100m mixed), Zion Nelson, 27 (100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x100m mixed), Knott. 30 (4x100m, 4x100m mixed, 4x400m), Naomi Johnson, 21 (200m, 400m, 4x100m mixed, 4x400m, 4x100m), Lianne Pama, 23 (4x100m, 4x100m mixed), Hoffman, 27 (400m hurdles, 4x400m mixed, 4x400m, 4x100m) and Bossong (800m, 4x400m, 4x400m mixed).    The men are Obiena, 30, Cabang, 25, Sonny Wagdos, 23 (5000m, marathon), Richard Salano, 34 (marathon), Yacine Guermali, 27 (5000m), Neil Catral, 24 (200m, 4x100m mixed), Anfernee Lopena, 32 (100m, 4x100m mixed), Hussein Lorana, 21 (800m, 4x400m), Jazzpeer Arcenal, 20 (400m, 4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Michael del Prado, 31 (400m, 4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Janry Ubas, 32 (long jump), Leonard Grospe, 25 (high jump), Borado (400m, 4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Seiler, Frederick Ramirez, 28 (4x400m, 4x400m mixed) and Kent Jardin, 22 (4x100m mixed, 100m).

“Each country may enter a maximum of two athletes per event,” said PATAFA Secretary-General Jasper Tanhueco. “Most of our athletes will compete in just one individual event plus the relays. Some athletes are included mainly as reserves for the relays. We’re trying to strategically plan the events depending on the athletes and their coaches. Most of our athletes will arrive in Nagoya on September 14 for our pre-competition training camp and the rest will be going on September 20.”

PATAFA President Terry Capistrano said the team is a mix of veterans and youngbloods.  

“We could pull some surprises but it’s too early to tell,” he said. “Our guys are still analyzing the competition.” The 24 athletes are the most the Philippines is sending to the Asian Games in track and field since 34 in 1954 when Manila hosted 72 years ago.