John Cabang Tolentino wins bronze in Asian Games hurdles

John Cabang Tolentino wrapped up his 20th Asian Games campaign with a bronze medal in the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Sept. 27, 2026, at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan.

After falling one spot short of a podium finish at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Filipino track athlete used those lessons to redeem himself and bring home the first medal for the PHL track and field delegation at the Aichi-Nagoya quadrennial games.

The 25-year-old star capped the event with a season-best 13.48 seconds, surpassing his gold-medal performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where he recorded 13.66 seconds.

Claiming this year’s 110-meter hurdles title was China’s Chen Yuanjiang with 13.15 seconds, while Japan’s Rachid Muratake settled for silver after clocking 13.29 seconds.

“I was feeling healthy with a lot of strength,” Tolentino said.

“My mentality is always the same. I came here just to win. But you know, sometimes, it’s not possible. But now, I’m really happy.”

Before ruling the 33rd SEA Games and copping bronze at the Asian Games, Tolentino had to grind his way through the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, winning bronze to qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics.

However, Tolentino’s Olympic campaign didn’t go as planned after he was forced to pull out of the competition due to an adductor injury.

“Since Olympics, it’s been really tough,” Tolentino added.

“We have been trying to come back, again and again, but I wasn’t able, until today. My biggest motivation here is next year they’re going to start the LA (Olympics) window.”

Before Tolentino’s bronze finish, the PHL mixed 4×400-meter relay team composed of Michael Del Prado, Victoria Bossong, Gabriel Borado and Naomi Kayla Johnson settled for seventh place in the final round.