Filipino rising star John Andre Aguja earned precious UCI points after retaining the crown in the Thailand MTB Cup Juniors on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Kanchanaburi.

Aguja, a consistent winner in the Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy, bested nine other competitors from five countries including compatriot Justine Anastacio by clocking 56 minutes and 36.745 seconds in the four-lap race over the 4.5-kilometer course.

The victory catapulted the Go for Gold cyclist to eighth place in the latest UCI World Men’s Junior rankings after collecting 242 points.

It is the highest spot achieved by any Filipino or Asian in the division, with the closest rider being Japan's Yuta Uchino (124) at 40th place.

Meanwhile, Anastacio settled for bronze in the same category while Adrian Nacario and James Carl Dela Cruz pocketed silver and bronze, respectively, in the Men's U-23 event. 

In the distaff side, Urika Iwayan and Diannah Costes placed sixth and seventh.

On the other hand, world No. 147 Shagne Yaoyao ended up at seventh place in the Women Elite category while Jwyn Muyco finished 11th.