By MARK REY MONTEJO
Philippine record holder Xiandi Chua is set to banner the country’s contingent in the 11th Asian Age Group Championships which serves as a qualifying event for swimming in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Slated on Feb. 26 to March 9 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac, the event was recently announced to be a qualifier to the Paris Games which should bode well to the mileage of the continental showpiece to be hosted by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc.
“May dalawang swimmers tayo [na may malaking chance to qualify], sila Kayla Sanchez and Xiandi Chua, hopefully they get the cut, we’re praying for them,” said Philippine Aquatics, Inc. secretary-general Eric Buhain who is joined by Jojit Alcaraz (president and CEO) and Dave Carter (COO) on the PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
“This will be a qualifying for the Paris Olympics, that means there will be world class swimmers that will be trying out and doing their best to do the cut to qualify,” he added.
Buhain, a former Olympian, is hoping for further development of Filipino tankers able to keep up with global standards with the first-ever hosting of the country that is expected to feature some Asia’s best swimmers.
“Something is changing in Philippine aquatics, especially in swimming. Sana in the future more [Filipinos] will be inspired to go to Olympic standard. Kailangan nating sumabay sa pagbabago and ‘yong challenge na ‘yon mawelcome ng mga bago nating swimmers,” said Buhain.
The Philippine team will be composed of 22 boys and 22 girls, including Pauline Obebe, Rio Coliyat, Jamesray Ajido and Kacie Tionko, and are set to compete in the age-group events 12-14, 15-17, and 18-and-above.
The tilt will have four disciplines, including swimming (Feb. 26-29), diving (Feb. 26-March 1), artistic swimming (March 2-6) and water polo (March 3-9) with over 1,300 participants coming in from 31 national federations including powerhouse countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
