As expected, the country’s top junior swimmers stamped their class but new stars also emerged in the penultimate day of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Age Group Championships on Saturday, June 22, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Swimming Center in Malate, Manila.
Jamesrey Mishael Ajido and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh led the march of the favorites while Pia Severina Magat, Pia Ato, Nicola Diamante, and brothers – Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper Mojdeh made their presence felt in the three-day tournament.
The 15-year-old Ajido raised his gold medal haul to four after topping the boys 15 Class A 50m backstroke (28.50), 100m freestyle (53.97) and 100m butterfly. He won his first gold in the 200m freestyle (2:00.42) on the opening day on Friday.
Mojdeh topped the girls’ 17-over Class A 100m breaststroke but was denied of another golf by Camille Buico in the 50m butterfly.
Her brothers and teammates at the BEST Elite also shone with Behrouz Mohammad claiming the gold in the boys 13 Class A 100m backstroke (1:16.49), 100m fly (1:05.41), and 400m Individual Medley, while the 9-year old Mikhael Jasper topped the boys 9 Class B 50m breast (51.45), 100Mfly (1:34.70), 50m fly (38.60), 100m free (1:16.94) and 200m free (2:45.76).
Magat reigned in the 100m freestyle (2:08.42) and 50m breast (1:08.28), while Pia Ato delivered in the girls 14 Class B 100m free (1:09.49) and 400m (6:02.10), while Diamante topped the girls 13Class A 50m back (32.79).
Other Day 2 winners were Arianne Lim in girls 11 Class A 50m back (38.28), Sophia Rose Garra 12 Class A 50m back (32.69), Elizabeth Requuioma 15 Class A 100m fly (1:09.51), Savinahh Oliveros 16 100m fly (1:09.40), Kyla Louise Bulaga 14 Class A 100m fly (1:07.69).
