Mga Pinoy puwedeng manalo ng ginto sa open water swimming

MANILA,Philippines — Isang gold medal lamang ang nakataya sa open wa­ter swimming ng 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Sinabi nina national team coach Betsy Medalla at swimmer Ron Jairus Villamor na makikilala nang husto sa bansa ang nasabing sport kung makukuha nila ang gintong medalya.

“I really believe the Filipinos can excel in open water swimming. We have the endurance and the skills to be real­ly good long-distance swimmers. Nandun yung puso,” ani Medalla sa kanyang pagdalo sa 49th ‘Usapang Sports’ ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) sa National Press Club sa Intramuros, Manila.

Gumawa ng kasaysayan si Medalla, isang open wa­­ter swimmer, matapos maging unang Asyano na nag-cross-swim sa South Africa noong 2014.

Bukod kay Villamor, sasabak din sa open swimming event ng 2019 SEA Games si Joboy Gonzales ng Davao City.

Kumpiyansa si Medalla sa kakayahan nina Villamor at Gonzales.

“It will really  be a big boost to our sport if either Ron or Joboy can win the SEAG  gold medal If we’re lucky enough, we can even finish 1-2 in the competition,” wi­ka pa ni Medalla.

Ang open water swimming ay may kaibahan sa re­gular swimming, ayon kay Medalla.

“Open water swimming is very different from swimming pool competitions. In terms of preparations, mas ma­tagal, mas mahirap ang open water swimming,” ani Medalla. “We have to swim in the open water at least once a week para hindi mawala yun feel for the water. They have to be naturally long-distance swimmers.”

Iminungkahi ni Medalla ang pagkakaroon ng bansa ng open water swimming community.

 “We should really have an open water swimming community because our race courses in the country  are so much better. So we created open water challenges for our swimmer to develop their talents,” paliwanag pa ni Medalla.

Ang weekly sports program ay itinataguyod ng Phi­lippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Association at HG Gu­yabano Tea Leaf Drinks.