At least 500 young athletes turned the Davao City Coastal Road into a stage of determination and joy, as the IRONKIDS Davao aquathlon unfolded with new record participation on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Princess Galura, President of Sunrise Events, said that the number of participants doubled compared to last year’s, underscoring the event’s growing role in nurturing the country’s next generation of triathletes.
“For Ironkids, we have 500 kids that is double the number of 2024, that’s very good because we continue to pipeline the older age groups from the Ironkids,” she said.
Children aged six to fifteen competed in swim and run formats tailored to their age groups, ranging from a 100 meter swim and one kilometer run for the youngest division to a 250 meter swim and two kilometer run for the oldest.
The competition also produced standout performances across all divisions with Johan Benedict Santos topping the male six to eight category, while Ma. Georjina Concepcion Sumaje led the female six to eight.
Alfonso Sumabat, first place in the male nine to 10 division, told the City Information Office that his victory felt rewarding, with the hard work and preparation for the race seen as the key to achieve the first place.
“It feels great to be first and it feels also good that you worked hard for this race, and you worked hard for this first place,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elouise Cassiopeia Luarez dominated the female nine to 10 group. Hans Nathan Samputon and Zoe Angel Da Silva emerged victorious in the male and female 11 to 12 divisions, while Matteo Inong and Laureen Lee Tan took top placers in the male and female 13 to 15 brackets.
Tan also expressed her gratitude, highlighting how her mother’s support and her coach’s guidance made her success possible.
“Thank you, mom, for supporting and taking care of me and to be a disciplined athlete. For coach, for teaching me the right ways on how to be an athlete, how to be obedient, disciplined and to train hard,” she added.
The race weekend began with the Gwapa Dabawenya Run on Friday, continued with the IRONKIDS on Saturday and culminated with the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao, a promising world-class showdown which brought together elite athletes from 30 countries on Sunday, March 22, 2026. CIO
Written by: K. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: M. Perandos
