‘It Will Be Very Difficult’: Tolentino Sizes Up Team Philippines’ Dakar Challenge
![Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino (center), Secretary-General Atty. Wharton Chan (third from left), and Chef de Mission Rocky Samson (right) welcome the first batch of Filipino athletes and coaches upon their arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Senegal on Thursday night. [POC Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-Design1178-400x200.png)
POC chief Abraham Tolentino warns of tough competition as nine Filipino athletes prepare for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
![Alexsandra Ann Diaz lifts 92kg to claim bronze in girls’ 48kg weightlifting. [POC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Weightlifting-Alexandra-Ann-Diaz-during-the-Girls-48kg-3-400x200.jpg)