It is the country’s first medal in the ongoing games.
On Tuesday, November 10 (Manila time), Naomi Marjorie Cesar was able to secure the Philippines’ first medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The 17-year-old clocked in a time of 2 minutes and 9.34 seconds in the Women’s 800m finals to secure a silver medal.
It is better time than the 2 minutes and 20.16 seconds that she logged in the Women’s 800 meters heat 1 qualifiers.
Cesar is only five seconds behind Ethiopia’s Netsanet Selemon, who bagged gold with a time of 2:04.43, while Morocco’s Khadija Elmostaqim earned bronze with time of 2:10.05.
Before hitting the last 100 meter stretch, she was trailing behind and was fourth in the race. However, she noted in an interview with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) that she pushed herself to do better and eventually secure a podium finish.
“I worked so hard for this. I’m not gonna come home in fourth,” she shared.
“It still doesn’t feel real. When I crossed the line, I was like ‘Oh my, gosh. I just won in the Youth Olympics!’ and it’s just unreal and I’m so happy and proud of myself.
Naomi, who won gold in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok last December in the same activity, also hopes to compete in the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, noting that “nothing is off the table.”
She is of the nine-athlete lineup assembled for the games, which includes Pi Durden Wangkay in athletics; Maritanya Krog in road cycling; Hilarrion III Palles and Tchelzy Mei Maayo in artistic gymnastics; Angel Polo in wushu; Jade Justiniane for windsurfing; and swimmers Riannah Chantelle Coleman & Jamesray Mishael Ajido.
