The purpose of the qualitative study was to describe the lived experiences of the student-athletes in their physical and mental health challenges in the midst of pandemic, their coping mechanism on the challenges they have experienced and the different hopes and aspirations that can be derived from their experiences. This study was conducted using phenomenological qualitative study through indepth interview and focus group discussion among the 14 participants in the Schools Division of Davao del Norte which offered Special Program in Sports. On the lived experiences of the studentathletes there were nine themes emerged such as tiredness and lost of interest, anxiety and nervousness, lack of self-confidence, difficulty in training, observance to sound mental health, weariness and fatigue, irregularity in sleeping and restlessness and lost of focus, discontentment. Meanwhile as to their coping mechanism, there were eight main themes which emerged such as watching YouTube for training tutorial, coaching support, developing self-discipline, maintaining physical fitness, setting positive attitude, asking family support, fostering teamwork and updating and communicating with teacher. Moreover, hopes and aspirations of students-athletes were: develop persistence and perseverance, provide training and facility support and pursue dreams and aspirations. In view of the above, this study also offers great propositions to the Department of Education as they portray an important role in helping the student-athletes in this pandemic. They should be conducting a series of psychosocial support and training for parents, teachers, and school heads that aims to engage in protecting the health, safety and well-being of the student-athletes in the midst of pandemic.

Keywords : Physical and mental health challenges, student-athletes, qualitative.