Big field vies in Speedo International masters swim

MANILA, Philippines – Speedo and Sports Management Solutions will organize the first Speedo International Swim Masters Series Philippines set this weekend in two separate venues in Laguna and Batangas.

The two-day event is expected to attract over a hundred competitors – mostly former national team mainstays and swim enthusiasts – aged 19 years old and above including a 19-member strong delegation from the United States.

“This is the first time our country is holding this kind of event, it gives older people like me to have a chance at competing again,” said Guy Concepcion, a former 1988 Seoul Olympian who heads Sports Management Solutions in yesterday’s event launch at Speedo in Bonifacio High Street.

Also present in the launch were Manish Mahtani, Speedo’s vice-president for operations, Rick Powers, long-time coach at Davis Aquatics Masters team, swimmers Karen Gilligan and Scott Harris.

“Masters swimming has long been neglected in the Philippines, now it’s time for Speedo to support the event and give our Masters swimmers a venue to compete,” said Mahtani.

Participants will battle it out in Day 1 in several events like 50-meter all strokes, 100m all strokes, 200m and 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and fun relay races at the Trace Aquatic Center in Los Baños, Laguna. – Joey Villar