In a historic moment for Philippine sports, businessman, lawmaker, and sportsman Mikee Romero has made a groundbreaking entry into the World Polo Tour amateur rankings — becoming the first Filipino to break into the Top 25.
Romero now sits at World Rank No. 24, having earned 110 WPT points from his stunning debut at the 2025 Gauntlet of Polo, widely regarded as the most prestigious and demanding polo series in the world.
With this feat, he not only becomes the highest-ranked Filipino in WPT history but also surpasses Thailand’s Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and Brunei’s Prince Mateen Bolkiah to become Southeast Asia’s top-ranked amateur polo player.
Often referred to as the “Olympics of Polo,” the Gauntlet of Polo is held annually at the National Polo Center in Florida and comprises three of the sport’s most iconic tournaments: the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship.
For over a century, this elite stage has been dominated by Argentine, American, and European titans. But in 2025, the thunder of Filipino hoofbeats echoed through the grounds — rewriting the script for Southeast Asian polo.
(C) Mikee Romero
“It still feels surreal,” Romero said. “To be among the Top 25 is a huge honor — but it’s more than a personal milestone. This is a triumph for every Filipino who dares to dream, for a nation that never had a place on this field — until now.”
Romero’s GlobalPort Polo Team delivered one of the Gauntlet’s most surprising and inspiring campaigns. They upset global powerhouses La Dolfina/Tamera and Park Place — both of which went on to claim top honors in the series.
GlobalPort advanced to the semifinals of the C.V. Whitney Cup, came within striking distance in the USPA Gold Cup, and narrowly missed a semifinal berth in the U.S. Open, falling 11–10 to La Dolfina/Catamount after leading by a goal with just 80 seconds remaining.
But beyond the wins and losses, the campaign became a statement of national pride. Romero and his team planted the Philippine flag firmly on polo’s most hallowed grounds. Along the way, they also secured a runner-up finish in the USPA Bronze Cup and clinched the Sterling Cup — further proving they belonged among the sport’s elite.
“For us, it wasn’t just about winning — it was about belonging,” Romero declared. “Belonging to the world stage. And I believe we’ve earned that right.”
The WPT ranks amateur players based on their performance in top-tier tournaments around the globe. For an Asian — much less a Filipino — to reach its upper ranks is a rarity. Romero’s ascent signals a paradigm shift in the sport, breaking through polo’s traditionally Western and colonial boundaries, and opening doors for new cultures, new competitors, and a new era of the game.
“This is just the beginning,” Romero said. “We are no longer just spectators — we are players in the arena. And I promise you, the Filipino will ride again.”
