Record-breaking hurdler John Cabang Tolentino to debut in Paris Games

Spain-based Filipino athlete John Cabang Tolentino has been breaking records for the Philippines as he takes the road to Paris one hurdle at a time.

The 22-year old hurdler will compete in the men's 110m hurdles event of the Summer Games - his first-ever Olympics. He will join fellow hurdler Lauren Hoffman and pole vaulter EJ Obiena to be one of the three Philippine representatives in athletics that will compete in Paris.

In the Philippine Athletics Championships held last May in Pasig, Tolentino set the national record for 110m hurdles at 13:37. Prior to this, he won the bronze in the Asian Indoor Championships in February where he clocked in 7.64 in the 60m hurdles, which also broke the national record. Tolentino also won the bronze medal with a result of 13.85 in the same event during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games that was held in Cambodia.

Currently ranked 36th in the world, Tolentino will face a tough competition in the Summer Games as Tokyo gold medalist and 2023 World Championship silver medalist Hansle Parchment of Jamaica will once again compete in the 110m hurdles. Also, Tokyo silver medalist and three-time world champion Grant Holloway of Team USA will also compete in the 110 hurdles.

Parchment won the gold in Tokyo as he clocked in 13.04, while Holloway settled for silver with 13.09. in the 2023 World Championships, Holloway had it at 12.96, while Parchment registered 13.07.

The 22-year-old Filipino was ranked No.29 out of the 40 athletes when the Philippines Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) officially announced his qualification for the Olympics.

Before this, Cabang started representing and playing for the Philippines in 2022. It was then during the Asian Championships of the following year when he made his mark as he finished fourth after clocking in at 13.56.

Earlier this year, Cabang reset his personal and the Philippine record of the 110m hurdles during the National Championships in Pasig at 13.37. He also won gold during the meet.
That is why for Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco, Tabang, as well Hoffman and PH’s pole vault bet EJ Obiena, is in a good position to bring home Olympic gold.