A Filipino-American scholar at the government-run National Academy of Sports (NAS) and three other fancied bets made their presence felt at the start of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) 50-meter (long course) National Sports Trials Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool in Malate, Manila.
Riannah Chantelle Coleman, a regular campaigner in the local swimming circuit, broke the 33.98 seconds Southeast Asian Age Group Qualifying Standard Time (QTS) for girls 14-15 50-meter breaststroke by clocking 33.96.
Coleman beat Krystal Ava David of Golden Sea Eagles (34.69) and Jamaica Enriquez of Pangasinan (35.62) in the event backed by Speedo, Pocari Sweat and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
‘It feels so amazing because I sacrifice so much for this moment. I woke up at 2 am every day to practice before going to school, there’s so much pressure on me but surprisingly I made it and I am so very happy with the results,” said the 15-year-old Coleman.
Fil-Canadia Kayla Sanchez was a no-show in the event apparently tired after joining the parade of the Filipino Olympians on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Gian Santos, who is based in Rancho Santa Margarita in California, shared the limelight by topping the boys 16-18 400-meter freestyle in 4:01.26, almost six seconds faster than the 4:07.74 QTS for his age group. He beat the promising Davaoeno Paolo Miguel Labanon of Rasa Wave (4:07.79) and Anton Della of La Union (4:17.70).
Another Fil-Am Jaydison Dacuycuy and Fil-Mongolian Enkmend Enkhmend both broke the QTS (30.72) in the boys 14-15 50-m breast, clocking 30.39 and 30.60, respectively. Sebastian Marcelo finished third at 30.94.
Other gold medalists in their respective events are Behrouz Mojdeh in the boys 11-13 400-m free (4:40.05), Aishel Evangelista (14-15, 4:18.27), Adrian Eichler (19-over, 4:07.01), Daniel Bumadella (boys 11-13 50-m breast, 33.82), Joaquin Taguinod (16-18, 30.16), Jaeddan Gamilla (19-over, 28.34),
Rielle Antonio (girls 11-13, 50-m breast, 36.98), Arabella Taguinota (16-18, 34.14), Alyza Ng (19-over, 33.20), Makayla Petalvero (girls 11-13 400-m free, 4:53.57), Kyla Bulaga (14-15, 4:45.31), Jie Talosig (16-18, 4:40.93), and Mishka Sy (19-over, 4:41.29).
