Redemption as John Cabang Tolentino hurdles to Asian Games bronze

Denied a spot on the podium in the 2023 edition where he placed fourth, John Cabang Tolentino bounces back with a season-best performance as he claims the men's 110m hurdles bronze in the Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines – John Cabang Tolentino found redemption on Sunday, September 27, as he broke through for the Philippine athletics team at the 2026 Asian Games.

The 25-year-old Olympian clinched the bronze medal in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan.

Denied a spot on the podium in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, where he placed fourth, Tolentino bounced back and posted a season-best 13.48 seconds as he won the Philippines’ first athletics medal in this year’s Asian Games.

China’s Chen Yuanjiang clocked 13.15 seconds to capture the gold, while Japan’s Rachid Muratake bagged the silver with 13.29 seconds.

“I’m very happy. It was just a lot of self-pressure and I just did it,” said Tolentino, who was born to Filipino parents in Spain.

“Even in the hard times, I kept pushing … I was always dreaming about this.”

The Asian Games bronze adds to his collection, which includes a Southeast Asian Games gold and an Asian Indoor Athletics Championships bronze.

In December, Tolentino won the SEA Games title in record-breaking fashion in Bangkok, Thailand, shattering the previous mark that stood for a decade.

With an Asian Games medal in the bag, Tolentino eyes a second Olympic stint.

“I’m gonna go for LA Olympics,” he said. – Rappler.com