Alkhaldi makes Asian swim finals

MANILA, Philippines - Fahad Alkhaldi got a rare chance to compete with Olympic medalists from Japan, Korea and China when he made it to the finals of the Asian Swimming Championships in Dubai Friday night.

Alkhaldi clocked 4.06.69 in the 400m freestyle trials Friday morning and was scheduled to take on a Singaporean bet in a swim off for a spot in the finals later in the night.

But the Singaporean’s team manager decided to concede the spot and pull out of the swim off, paving the way for the Filipino bet’s stint in the finals against the region’s best who trained under the top coaches from Australia and Germany in the endurance, tactic, technical, scientific and altitude camps.

“Good work, I’m sure you can drop time to 4:04 or below if you swim smart. I see your swim this morning was a little holding back,” said swim president Mark Joseph, who had to take over from coach Chiqui Brosas, who begged off at the last minute due to personal reasons.

“In the middle 200 that’s where the war will be tonight. Remember ‘end your race with speed,’” added Joseph, stressing that 400m free is a sprint race.

Joseph said that making it back in the evening finals is an honor for any country with the FINA and Asia Swim Federation officials, some of whom are IOC members from all continents, will see the Philippines represented in the finals.

He added that a big number of Filipino OFWs will be on hand to support and cheer Alkhaldi, who was joined in the meet by Johannsen Aguilar of La Salle, a 20-year-old 200m backstroker.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will next compete in the World short course 25m championships in Istanbul.