PH Gets First Dakar Youth Olympics Medal as Naomi Cesar Blazes to 800m Silver

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Naomi Marjorie Cesar refused to settle for fourth. The 17-year-old surged past her rivals in the final 150 meters of the women’s 800 meters to win silver, giving the Philippines its first medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Tuesday, November 10.

Ethiopia’s Netsanet Selemon took gold in 2:04.43, while Cesar crossed in 2:09.34 at Complexe Iba Mar Diop Stadium in Dakar. Morocco’s Khadija Elmostaqim finished third in 2:10.05, 0.71 seconds behind the Filipina.

Naomi Marjorie Cesar celebrates after winning silver in the women's 800 meters at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. [POC Media Pool] — Naomi Marjorie Cesar celebrates after winning silver in the women’s 800 meters at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. [POC Media Pool]

Cesar’s Late Kick Seals Silver

Cesar trailed four runners for more than two and a half laps before unleashing her finishing burst. “I was kind of waiting for the end to just turn it on and go,” she said after the race.

“I worked so hard for this so I told myself I’m not going to come home in fourth place,” Cesar said. She added that she trusted herself to catch anyone she set her eyes on.

Her father, Ben, watched from the stands with members of the Philippine delegation. Cesar also said marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, an IOC Global Ambassador, urged her hours before the race to compete, have fun and remember how far she had come.

Philippines’ Youth Olympics Medal Milestone

Cesar’s silver is the country’s second credited medal at the Youth Olympics. The first came from Christian Tio in men’s IKA twin tip racing in kiteboarding at Buenos Aires 2018, according to the official tally.

Luis Gabriel Moreno won a mixed-NOC archery gold with China’s Li Jiaman, also in 2018. That medal was not officially counted in the Philippine tally.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who followed the race from Manila, said, “We are proud of you for bringing home the silver.” Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio also congratulated the team.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano thanked Cesar for making Filipinos proud. Cesar, a Bangkok 2025 SEA Games gold medalist, said the result still felt unreal.

“When I crossed the line, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just medaled at the Youth Olympics!’” she said. Pi Durden Forward Wangkay, the country’s other athletics entry, ran the men’s 200 meters on Tuesday.