Eighteen-year-old Anton Ignacio, a shy yet determined young man, recently made waves in the international jet ski racing scene. Just days ago, he stood before the media at the Privon Bistro Lounge, sharing his journey to victory at the prestigious 2024 SBT-International Jet Sports Boating (IJSBT) World Jet Ski Finals in Lake Havasu, Arizona, USA.
Dubbed the "Olympics of Jet Ski Racing," the competition saw Anton compete against over 300 athletes from 70 countries. He emerged victorious in the Pro-Am Runabout 1100 Stock category, one of the event's premier divisions. Additionally, he secured second place in the Expert Runabout 1100 Stock Naturally Aspirated category and fourth place in the Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock category.
His father, Bombet, recounted a heartwarming story about Anton's initial reluctance to ride a jet ski. "When he was just 11 or 12, I asked him to try the new jet ski at our Calapan, Mindoro resort. He started crying, saying he'd rather swim. He was scared to ride it, fearing I'd make him go too fast," Bombet shared. Joyce added that while other cousins eagerly jumped at the chance to ride, Anton would simply stand back.
However, a turning point came when Anton ventured out to a nearby island alone. "That's when I started to think, maybe I could race," Anton recalled.
Anton's journey to becoming a world champion began at a young age. At just 13, he was already the youngest professional jet ski racer and champion. His dedication and perseverance have allowed him to balance his studies with rigorous training in this physically demanding sport.
In December 2023, Anton clinched the Novice Runabout 1100 Stock category at the SBT WGP-1 International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals, making history as the youngest Filipino title holder in the competition's 42-year history.
With his sights set on future victories, Anton is gearing up for the WGP#1 Waterjet World Cup in Pattaya City, Thailand, in December 2024, and the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
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