Filipino karting standout Axel Nocom opened his 2026 campaign in commanding fashion, securing a victory in the Junior category at the Champions of the Future Academy round held during the 2026 Macau International Kart Grand Prix. The win continued a strong run of form for the 13-year-old, following his previous COTFA triumph in Abu Dhabi and a second-place podium finish at the IAME Asia Finals in Macau last December.
The Macau event marked a significant step for the Champions of the Future Academy Program as it staged its first dedicated showcase in Asia at the Coloane Karting Track. Integrated into the wider Macau Grand Prix week, the competition followed the Academy’s arrive-and-drive format, placing drivers in equal machinery to highlight racecraft and consistency. Young racers from across the globe competed in Mini, OK-N Junior, and OK-N Senior categories, underlining the series’ expanding footprint beyond Europe and the Middle East.
Nocom’s victory further cemented his growing reputation on the international karting stage. He is now one of only two drivers worldwide — alongside Senior class winner Markas Šilkūnas — to have recorded wins across all Champions of the Future Academy series held globally, a rare distinction in a championship built on parity and tightly matched fields.
Racing since the age of five, Nocom has steadily risen through the ranks, competing across the Philippines, the UAE, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He has represented the country at major events, including the FIA Motorsport Games, and is widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ most promising junior motorsports talents. His international résumé includes strong performances in IAME competition, where he recently finished second overall at the IAME Asia Final, earning recognition as the highest-placing junior Asian driver in the series.
Beyond COTFA, Nocom has delivered notable results across multiple circuits, including a gold medal and track record at the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka and a podium finish at Japan’s Autobacs GPR. In the UAE, his dominant performance in Abu Dhabi earlier this season even prompted the playing of the Philippine national anthem — a rare moment in international karting.
