Jasmine Al Khaldy, a multi-gold medal winner in the 2005 Palarong Pambansa last week in Iloilo, spearheads the lean but mean RP contingent – composed of 11-year-olds – to the annual event expected to draw more than a thousand participants from all over Japan.
"These kids will get a chance to see world-class swimming. This opportunity will help these young swimmers develop their skills," said PASA president Mark Joseph in a press conference held the other day at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.
Selected to join Al Khaldy in Japan were Gian Berin, Whitney Dy, Bianca Illustre and Davao-based cousins Jose Joaquin and Celina Gonzales with former national team mainstay Akiko Thompson as delegation head.
"We hope one of these kids will win an Olympic gold medal someday," said Yasushisa Fujiwara, chief director of the Hamamawan Swimming Association which is bankrolling the Filipinos’ participation.
Fujiwara was accompanied by Masanon Matsuda, event planning director from Chunichi Shimbun, and Japanese RP coach Ryuko Ishikawa.
It marks the first time on its 20-year history that the organizing Hamamawan Swimming Association has invited the Philippines to the annual Japan Amateur Swimming Federation-sanctioned event, which is known for producing world champions.
"This is a good tournament for young Filipino swimmers," said Ishikawa, who brokered the Japan trip. — Joey Villar