2024 Asian Laser Run Championships: Filipino power comes to the fore in Ormoc City (PHI)

The 2024 Asian Laser Run Championships took place in Ormoc City, Philippines, from October 26 to 28. The event was held at the “Oval,” a popular venue within Ormoc City Central School that serves as the primary training ground for Filipino pentathletes in the Laser Run discipline.

The championships followed the UIPM 2024 Asian Development Camp, with participants hailing from the nations represented at the camp: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines and allowed them to immediately apply new skills in a competitive setting.

The competition program featured Laser Run races in various age categories — Senior (Open), Under 17, and Under 13 — for women, men, and Mixed Relay teams.

Notable attendees included Congressman Richard Gomez, President of the Philippines Modern Pentathlon Association, and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. Congressman Gomez also serves as a representative for Leyte’s 4th district, which includes Ormoc City.

The 2024 Asian Laser Run Championships featured strong Filipino athletes who recently represented the Philippines at the UIPM 2024 Laser Run World Championships in Zhengzhou, (CHN). Sacay Melvin (PHI) won Men’s Senior gold with Sevilla Juliana Shane (PHI) taking Women’s honours. Competitors from Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore all found their way on to the podium.

The event again highlighted the Philippines Modern Pentathlon Association's strong organizational capabilities, demonstrating its potential to host further international events in the future.