TUMULAK patungong Thaiand ang binuong delegasyon ng Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) na sasabak sa apat na disiplina sa 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Championship, na nakatakda sa Disyembre 6-10 sa Bangkok National Swimming Center sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Ang delegasyon ng Pilipinas na pinamumunuan ni PAI Vice President Jessie Arriola ay umalis ng Maynila nitong Miyerkules.
Pinangunahan ni Asian Age Group Championships gold medalist Jamesray Mishael Ajido at Riannah Chantelle Coleman ang 12-man swimming team, na nagnanais na malampasan, kung hindi man mapantayan ang dalawang gintong medalya na nakamait noong nakaraang taon sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kasama nila ang cream of the crop sa Philippine junior class na kinabibilangan nina Ryian Zach Danzel Belen, Reinielle Jan Mikos Trinidad, Peter Cyrus Dean, Jaydison Edrei Dacuycuy, at Ivo Nikolai Enot para sa boys’ squad habang ang girls side ay binubuo ng World Junior campaigner na sina Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Shania Joy Baraquiel, Sophia Rose Garra, Maxene Hayley, at Liv Abigail Florendo.
Sa unang pagkakataon sa Philippine swimming record, ang PAI ay nagpadala rin ng dalawang junior water polo team, isang three-member diving team, at artistic swimming teams, bilang pagpapatunay sa adhikain na palakasin ang grassroots development ng lahat ng disiplina ng aquatics.
“Do your best, the very best. And that will be our line to this team and other teams in future competitions, local and international,” pahayag ni PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.
“And then, of course, our usual good luck and take care message to our young swimmers. PAI believes our athletes perform better when they know their association supports them, all the way,” dagdag ng Olympian at Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer.
Ang water polo boys team ay binubuo ng multi-titled junior standout Aishel Cid Evangelista, Elijah Caleb De Leon, Lance Edrick Adalin, Matthew Cameron Dasig, Julian Christi Malubag, Miel Joaquin Ugahan, Kenzzie Trey Dumanglas, Niklas Joaquin De Guzman, Andrei Karl Alagban, Joaquin Federico Mirasol, Alexandre Gabriel Establicida, Dave Russel Geda, at Sean Gabriel Enero, habang ang mga babae pangkat na binubuo nina Sofia Isabel de Guzman, Ashly Ann Addison, Alexandra Raesher Dela Paz, Josie Ann Addison, Mitzie llegunas, Julia Ysabelle Basa, Aygana Ladip, Elizha Joyze Ferrer, Grazielle faith burgos, Shinloah Yve San Diego, Judith Margarette Morrison, Cyril Ann Espongia, at Samantha Janine Balagot.
Sasabak naman sa diving event sina Ma. Sina Gabriella De Jesus, Chloe Collado, at Jana Mary Rodriguez, habang ang artistic swimming team ay binubuo nina Antonia Lucia Raffaele, Zoe Lim, at Georgia Francesca Carmina Tan, na kamakailan ay nanalo ng tatlong medalya kabilang ang ginto sa Singapore Open .
Gayundin, ang hiwalay na delegasyon na binubuo ng mga elite swimmers na sina Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta at Xiandi Chua, Philip Adrian Eichler, at Metin Junior Jason Mahmutoglu ay lalahok sa World Aquarics Swimming Championships na nakatakda sa Disyembre, 10-15 sa Budapest, Hungary. (HATAW Sports)