Baguio City’s ra-cing phenom Iñigo N. Anton is the first Filipino Olympian to compete in esports for motorsports as Singapore will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Week on June 22 to 25.
The 18-year-old Anton will see action against world’s top professional sim racers who will converge at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, the main venue of competitions.
The Automobile Association of the Philippines Driver of the Year for racing is the country’s lone representative in the event organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after besting other top Filipino sim racers.
The University of Baguio student has emerged as champion in the Philippine national qualifiers organized by the AAP in May.
The inaugural Olympic Esports Week is a festival of virtual sports and gaming created by the IOC.
The IOC said those who will attend the event will also experience the thrilling action of the live finals of the Olympic Esports Series 2023, as well as watch exhibition matches and try out the latest innovations in the free-to-play zone.
After qualifying in May, Anton has been busy with national and international races, as he and his team have been winning every single tournament.
Anton has won two races in his debut in the Formula V1 Championship in Clark on June 9 and 10.
Last week, Anton’s team, the Mark Young Racing, bagged the overall team award in the Kalayaan Endurance Race at the Clark International Speedway.
The team was champion in Open B and Class 3, which were both six-hour races and as first runner-up in Class 1 in another six-hour race.
The team was also first runner-up in Class 1 and 3, and Open B in the 12-hour race. – Harley F. Palangchao
