As 2025 draws to a close, homegrown athletes from Davao City are taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with intense competition, personal growth, and hard-earned success. Their journey was marked not just by medals and records, but by a profound sense of gratitude for health, family support, and the resilience needed to navigate a demanding sports landscape.
Stories of Triumph and Resilience
The narratives of these Dabawenyos reveal a common thread of perseverance. They excelled across various stages, from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games podium to school-based leagues and international debuts, all while managing academic pressures and personal challenges.
For judoka Chino Sy Tancontian, 25, the year culminated in a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games and victories in international sambo tournaments. Balancing studies and elite competition, he expressed immense thankfulness for finishing the year healthy and wiser. "I am very thankful that I was able to get through this year with a healthy body and with much more experience," Tancontian shared. His focus now shifts to 2026 Olympic qualification points, where he plans to push even harder.
Baseball player James Vincent Nisnisan, 20, who contributed to a Philippine SEA Games gold, viewed his rookie year as a blessing. Staying injury-free and celebrating with family held as much importance as the medal itself. He extended his gratitude to coaches and supporters who believed in him from the start.
Setting Sights on New Records and Titles
The success of 2025 has only fueled greater ambitions for the coming year. Marathoner Arlan Arbois Jr., who secured a SEA Games silver medal after training through storms, sees his achievement as a reward for immense sacrifice. His next target is clear: breaking the Philippine marathon record in 2026.
Distance runner Sonny Wagdos, 32, carries a SEA Games 5,000-meter bronze and the blessing of an injury-free season into the new year. Juggling military schooling and training, he continues to prepare for the Tokyo Marathon in March, driven to surpass long-standing national marks.
Sambo champion Sydney Sy Tancontian, a gold medalist at the USA Sambo International and Oceania Sambo Championships, looks ahead with purpose. With the Philippines set to host the Asian Sambo Championship in 2026, winning a world title and promoting the sport nationally are top priorities.
Youth and Balance: Academics and Athletics
For younger athletes, the year was about growth and finding balance. Open-water swimmer Joshua Raphael del Rio, 22, helped Ateneo win its 10th straight UAAP men's swimming crown before his SEA Games debut. He credits faith and guidance for navigating his demanding journey and aims to refine his habits further in 2026.
Young basketball gold medalists Matt Cayetano and John Repompo from Ateneo de Davao University, who shone in the Palarong Pambansa and Asean Schools Games, placed relationships at the heart of their gratitude. They thanked teammates, coaches, and family, viewing 2026 as a year to build confidence and chase a national championship.
Swimmer Paolo Miguel Labanon adapted to a new environment at Ateneo de Manila University, sustained by support from family and mentors. He aims to enter 2026 more focused and mentally stronger. Fellow swimmer Ivo Nikolai Enot, who called 2025 "a wild ride" of missed opportunities and wins, intends to return as an improved athlete, hungry for new challenges.
Archer Abigail Lim, 16, transformed her performance in 2025, sweeping six gold medals in the Batang Pinoy after earning only silver and bronze the previous year. She sees the year as a lesson in resilience and plans to narrow the gap between her dreams and performance in 2026.
While their goals differ, their gratitude unites them. These athletes recognize that behind every podium finish are early mornings, long travels, and unseen struggles. Their 2025 delivered pride to Davao and the Philippines. Now, after a brief pause to give thanks, they are lacing up again, ready to train harder and represent their roots with even greater pride in 2026.
