Filipino jet ski prodigy Anton Ignacio wins overall crown in world series

MANILA, Philippines – Anton Ignacio capped an impressive 2024 campaign, winning the overall title in the Expert Runabout 1100 Stock category of the World Grand Prix #1 Water Jet World Series. 

The 18-year-old Ignacio garnered a total of 159 points in three competitions in Poland, the United States, and Thailand to top the category. 

“It was such a great experience as all of the competitors were tough, especially those who have been veterans in the sport. But I know those are the kinds of competitions that I need to prove myself,” Ignacio said. 

Ignacio outscored Germany’s Nils Wittling and Cambodia’s Felin Saly en route to the overall crown in one of the most competitive tournament series in the sport. 

His latest win came in Thailand, where he finished with a silver medal in the same category, enough to secure the crown.

In October, Ignacio bagged the Pro-Am Runabout 1100 Stock title, one of the premier divisions of the 2024 SBT-IJSBA World Jet Ski Finals held in Arizona, USA.

Ignacio started the series with a silver medal in the Euro finals 2024 WGP1 Jetski World Series Round 1 in Poland last July.

“It was a long road before this all. We were training and traveling all year round, so it is very fulfilling to end this year with this title,” he said. 

Despite all the victories so far in his young career, Ignacio vowed to avoid complacency as he carries the Philippine flag in jet ski tournaments abroad. 

“I can always do better. I should never complacent. I want to continue working hard because I know I still have a lot ahead of me,” the two-time world champion said. 

Ignacio now looks ahead to the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where he will gun for the gold medal after missing out on a podium finish in the previous edition of the biennial meet. 

According to Ignacio, he feels positive about the country’s chances next year as he gained valuable tournament experience over the past two years. 

“My next focus is to represent the country in Thailand next year. I feel we can get a medal next year in the SEA games,” he said. 

“Knowing how much I’ve grown in the past year or two, this could be our best chance yet to snatch some medals in the games,” Ignacio added. 

The Philippines snagged only one medal in the sport in the SEA Games last year, taking home bronze in the Runabout 1100 stock category courtesy of Billy Joseph Yang Ang. 

Scheduled for December 2025, the next SEA Games will feature a total of 581 events across 50 sports and three demonstration sports. – Rappler.com