Camille Naredo

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Courtesy: Stan Feleo

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783508217009729486231_18376771567200975_1366995530021788050_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Sports climber John Veloria after winning the 2026 PCI National Championship, with second-placer Paul Suson and Ylo Dizon. Photo from Pilipinas Climbing/Facebook"/>Sports climber John Veloria after winning the 2026 PCI National Championship, with second-placer Paul Suson and Ylo Dizon. Photo from Pilipinas Climbing/Facebook</div>MANILA — After winning another gold, sports climber John Veloria wants to fulfill a goal that&#x27;s bigger than himself and his personal achievements.  The 33-year-old took home the gold in the men&#x27;s elite lead finals at the 2026 PCI National Championship last week at Climb Central Manila.While balancing his duties as a national team athlete, Veloria is also a coach and setter at The Bouldering Hive, a bouldering gym located in Makati City.Aside from his personal achievements, the 33-year-old wants to give back to the local climbing community by helping develop the next generation of climbers.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/8/praj-dela-cruz-proud-to-represent-ph-on-american-ninja-warrior-1512">READ: Praj Dela Cruz proud to represent PH on &#x27;American Ninja Warrior&#x27; </a></div>&quot;This coming year, baka hindi na ganun kadalas [ako mag-compete]. Kasi, gusto ko na rin mag-coach. I wanna focus on developing athlete instead of just developing myself. And then, more contributing to the community rather than just to myself,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News.After 13 years of climbing, Veloria represented the country in the boulder and lead events at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the return of sports climbing to the regional meet.Back in December, Veloria was happy to see the growth of the climbing community – seeing more Filipinos getting into the sport and more gyms being built in the country.As he relished his golden finish in lead in this year&#x27;s Nationals, Veloria is looking forward to trying out another discipline in sports climbing.&quot;Well, usually if you&#x27;re a climber. Bukod doon sa competition, you wanna do outdoor. So, after this competition, I wanna pursue more outdoor climbing after this. And then, maybe, I&#x27;ll get back to more competition type,&quot; he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/24/climber-praj-dela-cruz-credits-maturity-for-3rd-national-bouldering-title-2343">READ: Climber Praj Dela Cruz credits maturity for 3rd national bouldering title </a></div>Following a Nationals packed with spectators, Veloria believes this signals a bright future for Philippine sports climbing.&quot;Sobrang happy naman ako na sobrang laki or sobrang ganda ng future yung climbing in the Philippines. For sure, next year, more. The young generation is gonna be really, really strong,&quot; he said.&quot;Hopefully, the next generation will have discipline. Di lang talaga yung talent. Talent is just one part of the equation. But, discipline and then yung eagerness mo to be good at kung ano yung discipline na gusto mo. Gusto mo either boulder or lead. So, ayun. Just do your best. Just keep going. For sure, it&#x27;s gonna pay off eventually,&quot; Veloria shared.When asked what his advice is to young climbers or those who want to start the sport, his answer was short and simple.&quot;For me, climbing is an individual sport. So walang pressure na kailangan mo mag-perform with your teammates. Of course it&#x27;s all in you,&quot; Veloria said.&quot;No pressure doon sa mga nagka-climb ng mas mababang grade, mas mababang terrain. You just have to enjoy,&quot; he shared.

After winning another gold, sports climber John Veloria wants to fulfill a goal that's bigger than himself and his personal achievements.

After winning another gold, sports climber John Veloria wants to fulfill a goal that's bigger than himself and his personal achievements.

From winning gold to guiding youth: John Veloria looks to help develop sports climbing in PH

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From winning gold to guiding youth: John Veloria looks to help develop sports climbing in PH

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 08, 2026 07:07 PM PHT

Read More:

climbing

John Veloria

sports climbing

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