Season’s best for Orrin Pharmin at Masters Champs in Korea

Veteran track and field athlete Orrin Pharmin crossed the finish line with a season’s-best time of 12.76 seconds in the 100-meter dash during the World Masters Athletics Championships 2026, held in Daegu, South Korea, on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Among 108 registered athletes in the M35 category, Pharmin ranked 68th overall and placed sixth in his heat, which was run with a 1.5-meter-per-second headwind.

“This was my season’s best time. I also finished ahead of the other sprinters from Singapore and S. Korea, respectively, in my heat,” Pharmin said.

Pharmin described his experience at the championships as meaningful, saying, “The experience has been amazing and very meaningful for me. Competing at the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, alongside athletes from all over the world has been an honor. It was also great to represent the CNMI on the international world stage.”

He added, “Being able to compete against athletes from different countries and different backgrounds has motivated me to continue to work hard to improve my performance.”

Pharmin said he had been training for several months in preparation for the competition. “Athletics has been a major part of my life since I started competing in 2010, and I wanted to challenge myself by competing at the World Masters Athletics Championships. I also wanted the opportunity to represent the CNMI, test myself against some of the best Masters athletes in the world, and show that age doesn’t have to be a limitation when it comes to pursuing your goals.”

He added, “I want people watching from home to see that someone from a small island community can compete on a world stage. Hopefully, this journey, which I would rather name ‘our journey’ can inspire the younger generation to believe in themselves and pursue whatever goals they have.”

Looking ahead, Pharmin said he plans to take some time off to recover before returning to training. “I want to continue competing and improving my performance. My goal is to prepare as much as I could for the 2027 season and hopefully represent the CNMI in future international competitions. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish next.”

Pharmin also thanked everyone back home who supported him throughout his journey. “Your encouragement, prayers, and contributions mean so much to me! I’m proud to represent the CNMI and bring our islands with me wherever I compete,” he said.

His Gold Sponsors are Gov. David M. Apatang; Precinct 1 Rep. and Vice Speaker Diego Vincent Fejeran Camacho; and Precinct 4 Rep. Malcolm J. Omar. His Silver Sponsors are Precinct 3 Rep. and Speaker Edmund San Nicolas Villagomez; Precinct 3 Rep. Denita Kaipat Yangetmai; and Rota Senator Paul A. Manglona. His Bronze Sponsors are J’s Restaurant and Hardt Eye Clinic, along with other community sponsors.

Pharmin also expressed his appreciation for his former sponsor, Roil Soil owner Shayne Villanueva.