High jumper Leonard Grospe soars to a new national record of 2.23 meters in the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commissio at the New Clark City Athletic Center Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, June 12, 2026. PSC Media
MANILA -- Leonard Grospe set a new national record in high jump on Friday evening, clearing 2.23 meters in his first try at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Just over a month after setting a new national and personal standard of 2.22 meters while competing for Mapua in the NCAA Season 101 trackfest, Grospe did it again -- this time at the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships.
The 24-year-old Grospe, a bronze medalist in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last year, faltered in his attempt at 2.25 meters but was nonetheless pleased with his performance.
"Sobrang masaya ako (ma-break ang record) kasi eto po yung standard sa last Asian Jumps," noted Grospe, referring to the winning jump of 2.23 meters by Qatar's Mutaz Aissa M. Barsham of the meet held last month held in Chongqing, China.
"Actually yung target namin this year is 2.25 kasi nakikita namin sa preparation namin during training na capable siya mag-jump ng ganun kataas," said coach Sean Guevarra, who held the old record of 2.17-m that Grospe eclipsed in 2024.
Guevarra is optimistic that with better physical conditioning, Grospe can clear 2.30-m.
High jumper Leonard Grospe flashes the No. 1 sign while showing the new national record jump of 2.23 meters he accomplished in the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the New Clark City Athletic Center Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, June 12, 2026. PSC Media
Meanwhile, Paris Olympian Lauren Hoffman completed a hurdles golden double with a close victory in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.55 seconds, relegating reigning 33rd Southeast Asian Games champion Dina Aulia to second place (13.63), and Army's Jelly Diane Paragile to third (14.16).
Hoffman was pleased in completing a sweep of the hurdles she last did in the 2024 edition held at the Philsports Complex oval in Pasig City, highlighted by setting a new national 100-meter hurdles record of 13.38 seconds.
"I wanted to go faster but I'll take it because I don't practice it (the 100 hurdles) too much. It was fun, I haven't done the doubles since 2024 so to be able to the doubles is great," she said. "I am just thankful for my health to get to this races."
She was likewise delighed in beating Aulia, who clocked 13.21 seconds in clinching gold in the event in the Thai capital of Bangkok last December.
Hoffman as eyeing to complete a hat trick of golds as a member of the national team's 4x100-meter relay whose finals was scheduled Saturday night.
Two-time SEA Games men's 110-meter hurdles gold medalist Clinton Kingsley Bautisa, a native of neighboring Camiling, Tarlac, also recaptured his title in 14.26 seconds, nosing out up and coming young teammate Tochukwu Okolo (14.43) while Papua New Guinea's Robert Oa (14.51) placed third.
Sharing the limelight was Fil-Am newcomer Gabe Borado, who stunned a tough field that included national athletes Mico del Prado and Frederick Ramirez in storming to victory in the men's 400-meter hurdles in 47.05 seconds.
Joining the list of golden newcomers early Saturday morning was another Fil-Am in Amanda Javellana, who ruled the women's hammer throw with a heave of 51.12 meters.
Javellana, 18, whose parents hail from Bacolod, Negros Oriental before transferring to the US, actually saw action for the country in the last 33rd Thailand SEA Games, finishing fifth in the hammer throw (51.97).