(PHOTOS – Top: Gumi City Mayor Kim Jangho with Members of the Diplomatic Community in Seoul. 1st Row L-R: DCM Singh of India, Ambassador Carlos Peñafiel of Mexico, Ambassador Chring Rangsay of Cambodia, Mayor Kin Jangho, Ambassador Aida Ismailova of Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan, Ambassador Shiva Tumbahangphe of Nepal. 2nd Row L-R: DHM and CG Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza of the Philippines, DCM and Minister Jaafar of Malaysia, and CG Chen Ribiao of China. Below: Gumi City Mayor Kim Jangho welcomes the Diplomatic Community and special guests.)
(PHOTOS – Top: Philippines country parade at the Gumi Stadium. Below: PH athletes and coaching staff with Second Secretary Ernest J. Diga and Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista in Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea.)
31 May 2025, Gumi, South Korea – Upon the invitation of Mr. Jangho Kim, Mayor of Gumi City, members of the Diplomatic Community, including representatives from Post attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Asian Athletics Championships on 27 May 2025. This year’s theme, “The Dream of ASIA, From GUMI to the World,” conveys the hope that all athletes will chase their dreams and advance to the global athletics stage.
(PHOTOS: Opening Performance by Gumi City students.)
The Philippine delegation was led by Philippines Track and Field Association (PATAFA) President Mr. Agapito D. Capistrano, and Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco. Representing the country in various events were top athletes including Olympian EJ Obiena (pole vault), Robyn Brown, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Kristina Knott, Carlo De Imus, Hokett Delos Santos, Leonard Grospe, Kharis Pantonial, Ronne Malipay, Yacine Guermali, William Morrison, Daniela Daynata, Hussein Loraña, and Bernalyn Bejoy.
(PHOTOS – Left: Philippines country parade at the Gumi Stadium. Right: Athletes sportsmanship oath-taking ceremony.)
Post was represented in the opening ceremony by Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, Second Secretary Ernest J. Diga and Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista.
In the final medal tally, the Philippines emerged as the only Southeast Asian nation to win a gold medal, achieved by Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena who cleared 5.77 meters in a dramatic jump-off against China’s Huang Bokai. This marked Obiena’s third consecutive gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championship. Other Southeast Asian nations also held commendable performances, Thailand earned 4 silver and 3 bronze medals while Singapore secured 2 silver medals.
(PHOTOS: PATAKA President Mr. Agapito D. Capistrano with Second Secretary Ernest J. Diga and Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista.)
China topped the medal table with 19 gold medals, followed by India (8 golds) and Japan (5 golds).
The 5-day competition, held from 27 to 31 May 2025, featured 1,200 athletes from 45 Asian countries, competing across 45 track, field and road events. Notably, the inaugural Asian Athletics Championships were held in the Philippines at the Rodriguez Sports center in Marikina, Rizal, from 18 to 23 November 1973.