New faces shine in PAI swimfest

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s most decorated junior swimmers withstood the challenge as new stars emerged in the penultimate day of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Age-Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool of the Rizal Memorial Sports Center.

Veteran internationalists Jamesrey Mishael Ajido and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh shone brightest among the national team members by winning two gold medals in their respective classes.

But the day also belonged to upcoming Pia Severina Magat, Pia Ato, Nicola Diamante, and Jasmine’s younger brothers Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper Mojdeh.

The 15-year-old Ajido, holder of Asian junior record in boys 12-14 100m butterfly (55.98), splashed his way to a fourth gold medal, topping the boys’ 15 Class A 50-m backstroke (28.50), 100-m freestyle (53.97) and 100-m butterfly. He won his first gold in the 200-m freestyle (2:00.42) on the opening day of the three-day tourney backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Speedo.

He beat Elijah Ebayan of South Warriors (30.24) and John Jeremy Villanueva of Pasig (30.42) before thumping his class against Matt Aaaron of Elizabeth Seton (58.02) and Rodevic Gonzalvo of Green Blasters (58.32). In the butterfly, he beat Rodevic Gonzalvo (1:00.12) and Elijah Ebayen (1:01.77).

“Maganda na po yung pakiramdam ko, hopefully po, mas heal na po ‘yung balikat ko before the National tryouts in August,” said the multi-titled international referring to the injury on his left shoulder he sustained during the Asean School tryouts last month.

Mojdeh, the two-time World Junior Championship campaigner, topped the girls’ 17-over Class A 100-m breaststroke, clocking 1:16.62 against Dee Vianne Catedrilla of Nautilus (1:20.73) and Gerice Oyaman of FTW Royals (1:21.64). She finished second to Camille Buico (29.01) in the 50-m butterfly (29.27).

His younger brothers and teammates at the BEST Elite make their mark with Behrouz Mohammad claiming the gold in the boys’ 13 Class A 100-m backstroke (1;16.49), 100-m fly (1:05.41), and 400-m Individual Medley, while the nine-year old Mikhael Jasper topped the boys’ 9-under Class B 50-m breast (51.45), 100-m fly (1:34.70), 50-m fly (38.60), 100-m free (1:16.94) and 200-m free (2:45.76).

Meanwhile, unless Heather White makes the cut at the last minute, the Philippine swim team will be represented by the duo of Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch in the Paris Olympics next month.

PAI secretary-general Eric Buhain told The STAR that Sanchez, an Olympic relay gold and silver winner when she was then representing Canada, and Hatch, a Southeast Asian Games medal winner, will claim the two universality places allowed per country based on points.

“Meron pa this weekend nag tra-try, si Heather White sa Canada,” said Buhain. “If she doesn’t make it, so far, in the lead si Kayla and Jarod Hatch.”

Sanchez has 845 points to lead the female side based on the World Aquatic points and time while Hatch paces all Filipino male tankers with 816 points.