OLYMPIAN and Asian Games medalist Marie Antoinette “Toni” Leviste has successfully qualified both of her horses, Lacoste 126 and Fanto, for the dressage competition of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which will be staged in Japan from Sept. 19 to October 4.
The equestrian competitions are scheduled to be held at the JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo.
Leviste secured the required Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) through a series of FEI-recognized international competitions in Europe, highlighted by strong performances at CDI Brno in the Czech Republic on June 5 and CDI Kronberg in Germany on June 20.
Under Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) regulations, each horse-and-rider combination must independently obtain the minimum qualifying score of 62 percent before an international judging panel at FEI-recognized CDI competitions to become eligible for the Asian Games.
By meeting the MERs with both horses, Leviste provided the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) with two qualified horse-and-rider combinations—Lacoste 126 and Fanto—from which it will make its final selection on July 15.
Leviste first represented the Philippines at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, with the equestrian events held in Saraburi, Thailand. She later helped the Philippine team capture the silver medal in show jumping at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
She also represented the country at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and competed in multiple FEI World Championships and FEI World Cup Jumping Finals before shifting her focus to dressage in 2023.
“Representing the Philippines has always been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Qualifying both Lacoste, my partner at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, and Fanto, a horse rescued from the war in Ukraine, for the Asian Games makes this achievement especially meaningful.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey, and I now look forward to continuing our preparations and proudly representing our country once again,” Leviste said.
The 2026 Asian Games will mark Leviste’s fifth appearance at Asia’s premier multi-sport event and her first competing in dressage, adding another milestone to a distinguished international career that has spanned nearly three decades. TMT
ELITE volleyball returns to the City of Candon as the top six volleyball nations in region battle for honors in Week One of the Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup (SEA V Cup) starting on Wednesday.
The core of the Alas Pilipinas squad who made waves at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in 2025 are back to lead the country’s campaign in the tournament at the state-of-the-art Candon City Arena.
The Philippines battles Cambodia at 5:30 p.m. at the start of Group B play of the event that carries FIVB world ranking points. Thailand, champion in the first leg last year also in the City of Candon, plays in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m. against Vietnam.
Myanmar makes its debut against Thailand on Thursday in the regional competition hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.
Alas Pilipinas battles 2025 SEA V. League second leg champion Indonesia on Friday. The top two teams from each pool advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the medal matches set Sunday.
This season marks the fourth staging of the tournament featuring the region’s top teams. Eyes will be on the charismatic Josh Ybanez and fellow FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship veterans Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Vince Lorenzo.
Alas Pilipinas, coached by Angiolino Frigoni of Italy, now also features Jude Garcia, a member of the Philippine beach volleyball team that bagged bronze in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara lauded the City of Candon headed by Singson for the continued commitment to the development of the sport at all levels.
