The duel between BiFin swimming and Para athletes is likely to add excitement as Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) stages its Golden Goggle 3rd and 4th leg swimming championships this weekend at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
COPA Board member and Samahang Manlalangoy ng Pilipinas (SMP) President Chito Rivera said the idea to include BiFin swimmers and athletes with disabilities is part of COPA’s thrust in grassroots development while helping all sector and stakeholders in the sports.
“Under the leadership of COPA President and now Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain we will make sure that nobody will be left behind in our quest to further develop the grassroot level while strengthening the talents in the elite including the BiFin as well as supporting our brothers with disabilities,” said Rivera, also the mentor of Jose Rizal University in the NCAA.
“Also, this would help our BiFin swimmers and Para athletes to hone their skills with a couple of weeks before they compete in 32nd Southeast Asian Games and Para Asean Games in Cambodia. Mabigyan din natin ng tamang exposure ang sports sa mga bata nang sa ganoon madagdagan din yung option nila in the future,” added Rivera.
BiFin has four players each in men’ and women’s teams.
Unlike classical (regular) swimming, BiFin is part of the Finswimming discipline using equipment such as bifin and snorkel with only one stroke (freestyle) to use
in 50m, 100m and 200m events.
The Philippines, composed of Romina Rafaelle Gavino, Raissa Regatta, Eugenie Gavino, Marjorie Denise Manguiat and Sam Andrei Doragos, won a bronze in the 4x100m surface event in the 2021 edition in Vietnam.
The Cambodia SEAG-bound members are Troy Castor, Kristoff Daniel David, Raymond Paloma, Renz Kenneth Santos (men), Alexi Cabayaran, Janine Dela Pax, Raina Samantha Leyran and Ishaelle Mae Villa (women). Veteran internationalist Ramil Ilustre and UST’s Caezar Alcantara will mentor the squad.
George Daluz is one of the players to watch after topping the 8-year-old class, winning five gold medals in the event powered by Speedo and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and MILO.
Also favored are triple gold winners Marcus Pablo, John Rey Lee, Samantha Mia Mendoza and Jamie Aica Summer Sy and Leviathan Swim Club athletes, led by Kean Sebastian Paragatos, Ahston Clyde Jose and Yuri Acidre.
