Japan training eyed for promising junior swimmer

MANILA, Philippines — Opportunities are opening up for Palarong Pambansa gold medalist and talented junior swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido, who is being lined up for further intensive training in Japan.

A high school varsity mainstay at La Salle Greenhills under coach and former national swimmer Evan Grabador,  Ajido, 14, has been identified by no less than Japanese gymnastics coach Munehiro Kugimiya, who sees Ajido’s huge potential in becoming a future elite athlete.

“Coach ‘Mune’ thoroughly went through Ajido’s track record and background and sees him becoming a world-class athlete given the proper coaching and training,” Jun Esturco, the head of KG (Key to Gold) Management, said.

Esturco revealed that Kugimiya is personally handling the preparations so that Ajido can train for at least two weeks in Tokyo, Japan at the world-class swimming facilities of Juntendo University.

Kugimiya, who helped transform Carlos Edriel Yulo into a two-time world champion, aims to scout promising young athletes locally and provide them with the means and opportunity to train and compete overseas with the help of KG Management Inc.