Russel Je Ricaforte of Ateneo de Manila University wins the discus throw bronze medal during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games athletics competition at the Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 16, 2025. He registered 53.54 meters, behind Malaysia’s Muhammad Irfan Shamshuddin (60.23) and Thailand’s Kiadpradid Srisai (53.82). (Contributed photo)
Ateneo de Manila University student Russel Je Ricaforte has delivered a performance that validates his place on the national stage, emerging as one of the Philippines’ brightest prospects in the discus throw.
The 5-foot-10 thrower captured a bronze medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after launching a best effort of 53.54 meters, finishing just behind Malaysia’s Muhammad Irfan Shamshuddin (60.23m) and Thailand’s Kiadpradid Srisai (53.82m). For Ricaforte, the podium moment was as meaningful as the medal itself.
“It was amazing. I’m really happy that I took home the bronze medal,” said the 25-year-old. “Standing on the podium and seeing the Philippine flag on the screen was a surreal moment.”
Ricaforte’s SEA Games breakthrough capped a year of steady ascent. At the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships—one of the key qualifiers for the national team—he claimed gold with a throw of 47.17 meters, edging out national athlete Ed Deliña and Malaysia University’s Kamal Farhan bin Abdul Rahman.
Three months later, he took another leap forward by rewriting history. Competing in the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Weekly Relays at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, Ricaforte uncorked a 54.14-meter throw to set a new national record, eclipsing the 34-year-old mark of Fidel Repizo (52.10m) established at the 1991 Manila SEA Games.
Born in Davao City, Ricaforte is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration and is a physical education graduate of the University of Perpetual Help in Las Piñas. With confidence building and milestones falling, his ambitions are clear.
“My plan for 2026 is to continue the momentum from this year,” he said. “The next target is to break the record again and reach 60 meters.”
Coach Arniel Ferrera, a four-time SEA Games gold medalist and three-time hammer throw record-holder, expressed satisfaction with Ricaforte’s debut on the regional stage, even as he pointed to greater potential ahead.
“I’m happy—he delivered a medal in his first SEA Games,” Ferrera said. “Our target was 55 meters, but Russel had muscle cramps in the second round, so we lost some distance. It could have been an easy silver, but overall we’re good with his performance.”
Ferrera added that the focus now shifts to sustained progress and bigger stages. “We’ll work harder and smarter toward 60 meters. We’re looking ahead to the Asian Games and the Asian Throwing Championships in Korea.”
As Ricaforte continues his upward trajectory, his bronze medal stands as both a reward for years of work and a signal that Philippine athletics has a new standard-bearer in the discus ring.