5 PAMBATONG JUNIOR SWIMMERS NG BANSA, SASABAK SA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

TUMULAK ang 5-man Philippine swimming team patungong Netanya, Israel nitong Huwebes ng gabi upang makibahagi sa prestihiyosong 9th World Aquatics Junior Championships na nakatakdang magsimula sa Miyerkules (Martes sa Manila).

Pinangunahan ng mga national junior record holders na sina Micaela ‘Water Beast’ Mojdeh at Heather White ang Philippine Team na napili sa pamamagitan ng FINA rankings. Makakasama nila sina Gian Santos, Alexander Eichler, at Marco Daos, na pumalit kay Cambodia SEA Games double gold medalist na si Tea Salvino, na nagpasyang hindi sumama  sa koponan upang pagtuunan ang pagsasanay sa kanyang paglahok sa darating na Asan Games sa China. Si dating Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner at swimming icon Akiko Thompson ang pinuno ng delegasyon habang isa pang Olympian na si Jessie King Lacuna ang head coach.

“On behalf of the entire Philippine Aquatics Inc (PAI) Board of Trustees headed by President Miko Vargas, we pray for the successful stint of our 5 swimmers to the World Aquatics Junior World Championships in Netanya Israel,” pahayag ni PAI Secretary-General, Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.

“It wasn’t easy getting all the necessary approval to send a team, but with the support of the World Aquatics, we had a special accommodation given the status of the then PSI. And we look forward to our possible reconfirmation as a new federation to ensure the future of our Filipino Aquatics athletes.

“We hope that they gain a lot of positive experiences and inspiration from their representation of our country in the JWC. Go for personal best times and national records. Make your country proud!,” ayin sa swimming legend at Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer.

Naging bahagi sina Mojdeh at White sa squad na ipinadala sa torneo nnoong nakaraang taon sa Lima, Peru, kung saan ang una ay nakapasok sa semifinals sa 100m butterfly. Ang ikalawang stint ni Mojdeh sa World Junior ay nagpagalak sa No.1 junior athlete ng bansa.

“Excited ako dahil ang mga teammates ko mula sa Bellevue Swim club na si Piper at Clare ay kakatawan din sa USA at Canada sa malaking event na ito,” sabi ng 16-anyos na si Mojdeh, ang ipinagmamalaki ng Brent International School sa Laguna.

Bago ang World Championships, sumailalim sina Mojdeh at White sa tatlong buwang training camp sa world-class Bellevue Swim Club sa Washinton sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng kilalang swimming coach na si Abi Liu, isang miyembro ng Team USA national coaching staff.

Lalahok si Mojdeh sa women’s 400m Individual Medley, 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 200m IM, 100m butterfly, at 200m breaststroke, habang ang 15-taong-gulang na Filipino-British at Vietnam-based na si White ay lalahok sa women’s 100m butterfly na libreng 100m butterfly. , 50m freestyle, at 200m freestyle.

Ang 16-anyos na si Santos ay sasabak sa  100m, 200m, at 400m freestyle at Filipino-German Eichler sa 100m at 200m butterfly.