Nicola Queen Diamante and Andreana Isabel Mirandilla emerged as the top performers in the girls division of the 2nd Reunion Swim Challenge on Sunday at the Teofilo Ildefonso Olympic pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
Diamante shone brightest among her class with an impressive four-gold medal haul in the 11-year old category as the pride of RSS Dolphins triumphed in Class A 100-m butterfly in time 1:21.30, 100-m backstroke (1:24.70), 100-m freestyle (1:11.00) and the 200-m back (3:04.90).
Mirandilla, for her part, delivered for the Sta, Rosa Laguna Swim team with three gold medals in the girls 9-years old, winning the 50-meter backstroke (Class B) in time of 53.50 seconds; 100-m backstroke (Class C; 2:07.60) and 100-m freestyle (Class C) in the tournament organized by Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) headed by Batangas 1st District Congressman and swimming icon Eric Buhain.
“We’re very happy and proud as once again COPA delivered on our promise to give our homegrown swimmers a venue where they can show their talents and the opportunity for them to grow and develop not just their skills but character as well,” said Buhain.
Tournament Director Richard Luna and COPA Treasurer Chito Rivera awarded the medals and certificates to all the winners and participants in the two-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and MILO.
Aside from Novice Swim Championship, COPA is also staging the Reunion 3rd leg on October 1-2; the Reunion Swim Challenge Championship on Oct. 22-23; the Sprint meet with the introduction of SKINS Swim event (Nov. 12-13); and Short Course Yuletide Swimming Championship (Dec. 10-11).
Other winners are Kade Baluyot in 10-years old 100m free (Class B, 1:21.000; Rhian Chloe Pattugalan (Class C, 1:52.00); Jud Limosnero in 12-year 100-m free (Class A, 1:12.20); Kisses Libat (Class B, 1:14.50); Claire Lim (Class C, 1:24.60); Patriz Arenas in 13-year ( Class B , 1:12.30);Anna Domenica Samson in 9-yrs 50-m backstroke (Class C, 1:03.20); Briana Lim in 12-yrs 200-m back (Class A, 3:09.30);
Janna Rysa Articulo (Class C, 3:28.50); Zidane Salting 13-yrs 200-m back (Clas A, 2:51.20); Danica May Aquino (Class B, 3:08.80); Micayla Syrene Chua (Class C, 3:22.30); Rose Charlize Bustos in 14-yrs 200-, back (Class A, 2:50.00); Mariz Capalar (Class B, 2:56.60); Krisha Apin in 15-yrs over 200-back (Class A, 2:40.90); Carmenrose Matabuena (Class B, 2:45.20); Franceska Punzalan (Class C, 2:58.00);
