Current and former Far Eastern University (FEU) men’s track and field athletes Carlos De Imus and Ronnie Malipay bolstered the Philippine athletic team during the 2025 Asian Athletics Championship held last May 27 to May 31 in Gumi, South Korea.

After breaking the national record at the Asian Race Walking Championships in Nomi, Japan last March 16, De Imus tried yet again to surpass his own performance after competing in the 20-kilometer walk category. The trackster eventually landed in 14th place, finishing in 1:35:28.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, the green-and-gold trackster described his experience as difficult, but ultimately an opportunity for growth.

“It’s a great and tough competition kasi ‘yung iba sa kanila nakalaban ko na sa Japan, but mas maraming dumagdag… Ako ‘yung nag-suffer, but this pain creates a lot of knowledge about how I can turn it into growth (It was a great and tough competition because I faced some of them in Japan, but there were more [competitors] this time… I suffered, but that pain taught me a lesson and how I can turn it into growth),” he expressed.  

Moreover, De Imus expressed his disappointment after finishing five minutes slower than his national record. 

“I always think kasi na I need to break my personal record palagi, which is very demanding sa utak ko, kaya nagiging perfectionist ako sa training… to the point na kapag hindi ko nakukuha ‘yung target pace ko is parang ayaw ko na (I always feel like I need to break my personal record, which puts a lot of pressure on my mind and it makes me a perfectionist in training... to the point that if I didn’t hit my target pace, I just feel like giving up),” he said.

Fulfilling his priorities as a military serviceman and student-athlete, the Morayta-based trackster mentioned that the days leading up to the tournament were hectic, affecting his overall preparation. 

“Hectic lang din kasi nagsabay-sabay 'yung mga priority ko, because I was in [the] military while I’m a student-athlete so pagbalik ko galing Japan, I had to comply sa mga duties and responsibilities ko. Also, ganoon din sa pagiging student because I have to comply my final requirements para maging eligible sa University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP),” he expressed.

Coach-athlete and two-time national champion Malipay placed 10th with a best leap of 15.73 meters during the men’s triple jump event, narrowly missing the final eight as an attempt to finish behind 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Zhu Yaming.

Joining De Imus and Malipay are Coach Saturnino ‘Titus’ Salazar and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Agapito ‘Terry’ Capistrano.

De Imus now sets his sights on UAAP Season 88 after missing the previous year.

Both De Imus and Malipay are also preparing for their next international competition at the Thailand Open, while fellow FEU athlete Tochukwu Okolo is set to compete in the Taiwan Open this June 7 to 8 in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles.

- Krizza Gabrielle Tabora

(Photo courtesy of FEU Mens Track and Field Facebook page)