By MARK REY MONTEJO
Paris Olympian Jarod Hatch and young guns Jamesray Ajido and Jasmine Mojdeh splashed their way into the top of their respective events in the second day of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. National Trials for 50m (long course) Friday, Aug. 16, at the Teofilo Yldefonso pool inside Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.
Hatch didn’t mind the scorching heat as he torpedoed the opposition in the boys’ 50m freestyle (19 & above), clocking 23.86 seconds to beat Charles Bellotti (24.06) and Jennuel De Leon (24.29)
The 26-year-old Hatch, who competed in the 100m butterfly semifinal in the French capital, only joined in one event but said he’s open to competing in the SEA Games next year.
“Yeah, one step at a time. As long as I’m taking care of myself, as long as I’m happy, as long as I’m able to give the sport what it deserves,” said Hatch. “And repaying what it’s done for me over the years, the door is definitely open for that.”
Ajido was equally impressive as he beat the 57.46 Southeast Asian Age Group Qualifying Time Standard (QTS) in the boys 14-15 100-m butterfly by clocking 56.25, while matching the QTS (24.64) in the 50-meter freestyle
On the other hand, Mojdeh reigned supreme in the girls 16-18 200m breaststroke, logging 2:40.27 to beat the Qualifying Time Standard (QTS) of 2:40.42. Finishing second and third were Reiko Uy (2:47.50) and Sealtiel Daiz (2:48.45).
Jasmine’s sister, Behrouz also shone, ruling the 11-13 age group events in 400m free and 200m breast.
Meantime, Riannah Coleman topped the 14-15 200m breast in 2:43.54, a feat that bettered the QTS of 2:45.54. Krystal David (2:49.76) and Kyla Bulaga (2:50.63) wound up second and third, respectively.
On Thursday, Coleman passed the 33.98 QTS for girls 14-15 50-meter breaststroke with an impressive time of 33.96.
Other top performers were Filipino-American Gian Santos and Miranda Cristina Renner and Fil-Mongolian Enkhmend Enkhmend.
For the second time, the California-based Santos smashed the QTS of 2:22.78 in winning the boys 16-18 200-m breast in 2:18.30, Enkmend delivered in the 14-15 class with a time of 2:24.19 (2:24.49), while Renner topped the girls 19-over 50-m free (26.26).
Other gold medalist in Day 2 are Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh in boys 11-12 200-m breaststroke (2:42.50); Lucio Cuyong (19-over, 2:23.29); Sophia Rose Garra in the girls 11-13 200-m breast (2:51.46); Shairinne Floriano (19-over, 2:43.65), Richard Navo in the boys 11-13 50-m freestyle (26.82); Anika Kathryn Matiling in the girls 11-13 50-m free (29.12); Paulene Beatrice Obebe (14-15, 28.78); Miranda Cristine Renner (19-over, 26.26); Arvin Naeem Taguinota in the boys 11-13 100-m butterfly (1:03,88); Joshua Ang (19-over, 54.38); Liv Abigail Florendo in the girls 11-13 100-m fly (1:08.27); Kyla Bulaga (14-15, 1:08.37); Shairinne Floriano (19-over, 1:04.13);
Arvin Naeem Taguinota II in the boys 11-13 100-m backstroke (1:04.77); Joshua Pak (19-over, 59.66); Maxene Uy in the girls 14-15 100-back (1:08.52); Trixie Ortiguera (16-18, 1:08.55); Mishka Sy (19-over, 1:07.24); Arvin Taguinota in the boys 11-13 200 IM (2:23.38); Jaeddan Patrick Gamilla and Kyle Gerard Valdez (19-over, tied at 2:07.59); Sophia Rose Garra in the girls 11-13 200-m IM (2:34.53); Kyla Louise Bulaga (14-15, 2:33.44); Shairinne Floriano (19-over, 2:27.67)
