'I'm grateful of who I am': Meet the Filipino-Indigenous sprinter making waves in Australian track and field

Thewbelle Philp says she runs with pride—carrying both her Filipino and Indigenous Australian identity on the track.

Filipino-Indigenous Australian Thewbelle Philp proves her talent as a sprinter in track and field in Australia. This first photo was captured during the Women’s 60m event at the Australian Short Course Athletics Championships. Credit: ellykp_photography/Thewbelle Philp

Key Points

• At just 16 years old, Thewbelle was selected to represent Australia at the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, where she helped the team qualify for the finals.
• Thewbelle is the eldest of two children. Her mother is a Filipina from Pangasinan, while her father comes from the Minjungbal Indigenous group. Her favourite food is Chicken Adobo and pansit.
• In February 2025, Thewbelle set a new record as the Australian Under-20 champion in the 60 metres, clocking 7.30 seconds at the 2025 Australian Short Track Athletics Championships. She also delivered standout performances at the 2025 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships, finishing the 100 metres in an impressive 11.38 seconds and the 200 metres in 23.40 seconds.

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'I'm grateful of who I am': Meet the Filipino-Indigenous sprinter making waves in Australian track and field

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In February 2025, Thewbelle Philp [in back sports attire] set a new record as the Australian Under-20 champion in the 60 metres, clocking 7.30 seconds at the 2025 Australian Short Track Athletics Championships. She also delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships, finishing the 100 metres in 11.38 seconds and the 200 metres in 23.40 seconds. Credit: Thewbelle Philp

Thewbelle's family [L-R] her dad Matthew, mum Beth and younger sister . Credit: Thewbelle Philp

Thewbelle shared that she inherited her athleticism from her father, Matthew, who once played in the rugby league and was also a swimmer and sprinter. Credit Thewbelle Philp

Credit: Thewbelle Philp

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