Fil-German race walker Nathaniel Seiler made a stunning debut in the Philippine athletics scene on Thursday after breaking a 31-year-old national record during the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships at New Clark City Athletic Stadium.

Seiler dominated the men’s race walk event, finishing in 43:33.38 to eclipse the previous mark of 44:22.08 set by Sonny Diaz in 1995. His performance marked one of the standout moments of the meet, which is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Record-Breaking Debut

Seiler, who represented Germany in the 50-kilometer race walk at the Tokyo Olympics, credited the early morning schedule for helping his performance in the technically demanding event. He said the timing allowed him to compete at a higher level after adjusting to the time difference from Germany.

The 30-year-old athlete noted that he was unaware he was nearing the record during the race, saying he could have pushed even faster if he had known the target time. His debut immediately positioned him as a new force in Philippine athletics.

Coach Saturnino Salazar, a former national race walker, discovered Seiler and played a key role in bringing him into the local athletics program. Salazar highlighted Seiler’s potential and international experience as major assets for the national circuit.

Seiler expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete under favorable conditions, emphasizing how the early start helped him manage fatigue from recent travel. He added that the experience strengthened his motivation to pursue future international competitions.

Strong Meet Performances

The championships also featured strong performances from other overseas-based Filipino and Fil-Am athletes across multiple disciplines. The meet continued to highlight rising international talent competing under the Philippine athletics program.

Lauren Hoffman reclaimed the women’s 400-meter hurdles title with a time of 58.98 seconds, while Eli Cole secured gold in the pole vault with a clearance of 5.25 meters. Jessica Laurance defended her status as the fastest woman of the meet after winning the 100-meter dash in 11.72 seconds.

On the men’s side, Drew Tumarak Hill claimed the 100-meter sprint title in 10.46 seconds after a closely contested finish. The performances added depth to a competitive meet supported by multiple sponsors and athletics partners.

Seiler said he aims to compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as part of his long-term athletic goals. His Philippine debut has positioned him as one of the most closely watched new entrants in the national athletics scene.