By Kristel Satumbaga
LAGAN, Isabela – The Parañaque City swimmers continued their dominance with Mark Bryan Dula steering the squad this time in the 2019 Batang Pinoy Luzon leg championships at the Isabela Sports Complex here.
The 12-year-old Dula, who was born in Samar but moved to Parañaque when he was three years old, collected five gold medals, including four on Wednesday to sweep his events.
He hinted of good things to come when he torpedoed his rivals in the 12-under 50-meter backstroke, clocking 33.46 seconds.
Yesterday, he was more impressive as he prevailed in the 200m back (2:44.46), 100m butterfly (1:08.82), 100m back (1:14.71) and 50m fly (30.78sec).
It was a fitting Batang Pinoy debut appearance for Dula, who is using this event as a springboard for his first Palarong Pambansa competition next month.
“Pinapakinggan ko lang po yung coach ko,” said Dula, whose coach happens to be his father, Marlon. (I just listen to my coach.)
National junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh also shone for Parañaque City by winning two more golds for a total of four mints in two days.
She reigned supreme in the girls 13-15 100m fly in 1:06.30 and the 50m fly in 30.44sec to follow up Tuesday’s victories in the 200m individual medley (2:35.91) and 400m IM (5:25.30) on Tuesday.
Mojdeh, 13, seeks for a fifth gold today in the 200m fly.
At the City of Ilagan Sports Complex, Palarong Pambansa winner Leslie De Lima led the list of early winners at the start of
athletics competition.