Cayanan, Ilustre surpass nat’l jr records in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Swimming League swimmers Paula Ann Regine Cayanan and Maurice Sacho Ilustre emerged the new Philippine junior record holders in 2013 with their gold medal feats in an international and national age group meet, respectively.

The PSL, who runs the biggest community-based swimming program in the country with over 150 members clubs, said Cayanan clocked 27.88 seconds in the 50m freestyle during the ninth SICC Invitational Swimming Championship held in Singapore. She erased the national junior (13-under) mark of 28.22 of Olympian Jasmine Alkhaidi in the 30th SEA Championships in Indonesia almost eight years ago.

Cayanan also currently holds the national junior mark (14-15) with a time of 27.75 seconds.  

Cayanan made an international debut at the SICC Invitational Swimming Championship in 2010, when she emerged most outstanding swimmer.

Ilustre holds the junior national record for 14 years old in in the 200m butterfly with a time of 2:11.25. He erased the long standing mark of 2:11.51 set June 4, 1999 in the G- League by  Jonathan Villagracia.

Ilustre was also most outstanding swimmer during the 50th PSL Leg series, dubbed Sen. Nikki Coseteng Cup, and was champion in the freestyle skin  swim competition.

Cayanan’s time of 27.75 seconds is the sixth fastest in national Senior Open category.

Ilustre’s time of 2:11.25 is the third fastest time in the 200m butterfly event in the Phl Senior Open category.

“Both swimmers broke the junior national records outside of the national training pool because, being non-members of the national swimming association, they are barred from participating in PASA tournaments,” PSL president Susan Papa said.

Another swimmer expected to break the national record this year are Sean Terence Zamora and McTracy John Alindogan.  

“We are happy with our grassroots developmental program as we see our swimmers breaking the old national records. We see another great year for Philippine swimming,” said Papa.