22.06.2025 | Cebu City, Philippines. Jungle Beast roared to life on June 22 as the Philippine Streetlifting Organization (PHSL) hosted the Philippine Open 2025, a monumental event that served not only as a national showcase but also as a qualifier for the upcoming Streetlifting World Championships in October of this year. Held in Jardin de Busay, Cebu City, this tropical arena delivered more than just a competition—it was an explosive celebration of strength, community, and international breakthroughs.
With 31 athletes, a wild and vocal crowd of up to 80 spectators, and backing from multiple local sponsors, the Philippine Open proved that Southeast Asia has firmly planted itself on the global Streetlifting map.
Event Overview
The event began at 8:00 AM and kept the energy going until 12:30 AM the next day, covering intense competition, emotional highlights, and a heartfelt awards ceremony.
Despite occasional technical and weather-related challenges—including weak internet and some technical difficulties — organizers managed to keep the event on track with a dedicated crew of 5 core organizers, 15 volunteers, and 6 spotters.
Backed by Gold’s Gym, Panda Athletics, Tatakai, Salt+Fin, and more, the event combined local flavor with global ambition.
Highlights and Athletic Performances
The 2025 edition of the Philippine Open delivered unforgettable moments:
- 🇰🇷 Ryu from Korea set a new Asian record in the muscle-up with +40 kg in the -80 kg category, igniting the crowd.
- 🇻🇳 Son Hanma stunned the venue with an unofficial world record dip of 167.25 kg in the -80 kg class
- 🇵🇭 Jed Delegencia made a dramatic comeback in the -66 kg class, successfully completing 12/12 lifts after being disqualified last year.
- 🇵🇭 Kins Cortez claimed a national record for the Philippines with a 112.5 kg dip in the -73 kg class.
All athletes pushed through humid conditions with relentless energy, fueled by roaring support from the crowd.
Organizational Insights
While the event faced technical obstacles, including internet instability organizers were quick to adapt and manage workarounds. The community spirit, loud crowd, and smooth teamwork ensured the event ran with high energy and impact.
Compared to previous editions, no major changes were made, but the bar has certainly been raised for future events.
Key takeaways:
- Highly engaged and emotional audience
- Impressive international athlete turnout
- New national and continental records set
Community Response & Future Outlook
The response from both athletes and spectators was overwhelmingly positive. The energy was described as „ truly unique“, and PHSL’s Instagram saw a 100% increase in followers following the event.
A favorite quote echoed by several athletes:
“The jungle is always your home.”
Looking ahead, organizers are already planning the Philippine Open 2026, with ambitions to improve technical setup and FinalRep app handling. With growing momentum and international recognition, the Philippines is set to become a regional powerhouse in Streetlifting.
Conclusion
The Philippine Open 2025 wasn’t just a qualifier—it was a signal to the global Streetlifting community. Between record-breaking performances, a hyped crowd, and passionate organizing, this event proved that Southeast Asia is more than ready for the world stage.
From Cebu to the world, FinalRep is proud to stand behind the athletes driving this movement forward.
Let’s keep pushing the limits together!
— Your FinalRep Team 🧡
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