Manila: Ateneo de Manila University student Russel Je Ricaforte has demonstrated his potential as a valuable addition to the national athletics team. The 5-foot-10 discus thrower clinched a bronze medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with a remarkable throw of 53.54 meters, trailing behind Malaysia's Muhammad Irfan Shamshuddin, who registered 60.23 meters, and Thailand's Kiadpradid Srisai, with 53.82 meters.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ricaforte expressed his elation at winning the bronze medal, describing the experience as surreal. Earlier in the year, Ricaforte secured a gold medal at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, which served as a qualifying event for the SEA Games. He achieved a throw of 47.17 meters, surpassing national athlete Ed Deli±a and Malaysia University's Kamal Farhan bin Abdul Rahman.

In a subsequent achievement, Ricaforte set a new national record with a throw of 54.14 meters during the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Weekly Relays in Pasig City. This feat surpassed the 34-year-old record of Fidel Repizo, which was 52.10 meters, set at the 1991 Manila SEA Games.

Ricaforte, who is pursuing a master's degree in business administration and holds a degree in physical education from the University of Perpetual Help, has ambitious goals for 2026. He aims to break his own record and reach the 60-meter mark. His coach, Arniel Ferrera, a seasoned athlete and former SEA Games champion, expressed satisfaction with Ricaforte's performance, noting that muscle cramps prevented a higher achievement at the SEA Games.

Looking ahead, Ricaforte and Ferrera are setting their sights on the Asian Games and the Asian Throwing Championships in Korea, with plans to enhance training strategies. The Philippines placed fourth overall at the Thailand SEA Games, showing improvement from previous performances in Cambodia and Vietnam.