PSL 'age-band' swim on

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League is launching its first ever “age-band competition” as it resumes its monthly club-level swimming meet today at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.

PSL president and founder Susan Papa said the format allows a competitor to compete with other swimmers regardless of age.

“This will be a good test for the younger swimmers because a 10-year-old swimmer can really push himself to maximum speed against older swimmers,” said Papa. “In other words, if a 10-year-old can make 32 seconds for the 50m freestyle and a 12-year-old also clocks 32 seconds, then both will compete side by side and will be tested.”

However, she said the results would still be categorized according to age brackets.

“Also, this time, we will choose only one boy and one girl for the entire level from 6-18 years old to be the most outstanding swimmers,” Papa added.

Papa said the swimmer breaking the most number of existing meet records will be eligible for the most outstanding swimmer award.

Close to 300 participants are competing for gold medals in the 8-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-above categories.