Ajido makes big waves

MANILA, Philippines — With two golds and a silver in the final day, Jamesray Mishael Ajido emerged as the Most Oustanding Swimmer in his category at the close of the 1st Philippine Aquatics Inc. National Age Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex yesterday.

Ajido reigned in the boys’ 15 Class A 100m backstroke (1:02.44)  and 50m freestyle (24.87) before having to battle a shoulder injury in settling for silver in the 200m fly.

With a total haul of six golds and a silver, Ajido claimed MOS honors in the three-day tournament serving as launch pad for PAI’s national ranking system. The event was sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Speedo.

Mojdeh brothers Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper also claimed MOS awards in their respective categories with two gold medals each.

Mohammad, 13, a Grade 7 student at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College of Parañaque added the boys’ 13 Class A 100m back (1:11.63) and 200m fly in his gold-medal collection, while the younger Mikhael took the golds in the boys’ 9 Class A 100m back (1:23.90) and 50m free (35.31).

Also making waves were Pia Severina Magat of Sharkpeedo, Nicola Diamante of RSS Dolphins,  Miska Sy, Elisa Janna de Kam, Kyla Bulaga, Ezra Avery Advincula. Clinton Hu and Camille Buico.

Seven-year-old wonder Magat topped the 50m free, Sy the girls’ 17-over 100m back, Diamante the 100m back  13 Class A, De Kam Class B, Advincula the 8 Class A 100m back, Buico the 17-over 200m fly, Bulaga 14 Class A 300m fly and Hu, the youngest participant at five, the 50m freestyle.