By Edwin Rollon
JAMESRAY Mishael Ajido might save the Philippine Team campaign again. And he did it, in another remarkable performance.
Ajido captured the Philippines' first gold medal in record fashion on Saturday in the 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Championships at the Assumption University swimming pool in Bangkok, Thailand.
Already an Asian junior record holder in the 12-14 class 100m butterfly (55.98), which he established during the 11th Asian Age Group Championships last February in New Clark City, Ajido pulled off another unforgettable feat as he clinched the gold medal in the boys 14-15 50-meter butterfly in a new meet record of 25.53 seconds.
The 15-year-old Grade 9 student at Dela Salle Greenhills broke Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Khang's five-year-old record (25.71) established in the 2018 Manila edition.
Ajido beat Indonesian Gusti Pramana (25.98) and Khattawan Juhara of Thailand (26.00), boosting the morale of the 12-man Philippine Team, which will compete on the final day of the biennial meet this Sunday. The team was formed through National tryouts by the Philippine Aquatics. Inc. (PAI) and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Ajido's victory avenged his silver medal finishes in the 50m freestyle and 100-m butterfly on the opening day on Friday.
The Antipolo City pride missed the top podium in the 100m fly as he timed 56.63 against gold medal winner Van Hoang Quy Duong of Vietnam (56.29). He was also in a tight finish in the 50m free (24.63) behind Thai Jirapat Chayangsu (24.11).
Two-time World Championship campaigner Jasmine Mojdeh also missed the gold in the girls' 100m fly clocking 1:03.40, just one-tenth of a second behind winner Thitiphon Kertsriphan of Thailand (1:03.39).
"We missed three gold medals yesterday by narrow margins in three events. However, I’m glad James won the gold medal and broke a SEA Age record today. Looking forward to Day 3—I hope we can win more medals!" said National head coach Ramil Ilustre.
Davao City pride Ivo Nikolai Enot captured the bronze in the boys' 100m backstroke clocking 58.56 seconds behind gold winner Truong Vinh Trinh Vietnam (57.83). He also placed 12th in the 200m Individual medley (2:15.34) and 10th in the 400m IM (4;53.89).
In the artistic swimming event, Carmina Sanchez Tan also won a silver medal in the women’s Solo Free Group A class (15-19). The Bacolod City native recently won three medals, including a gold in the Singapore Open.
“We are very grateful for this milestone for Artistic Swim in the Philippines. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Thank you, Philippine Aquatics, Inc.,” said coach Giselle Sanchez.
Other members of the team fell short in their respective campaigns with Shania Joy Baraquiel, 18, finishing 10th in the 50m free (27.65) and 13th in the 50m fly ( 31.21); Maxene Hayley Uy (12th) 14-15 class 50m (28.54), 7th in 100m back (1;08.42) and 8th in 200m back ( 2:31.41), Riannah Colemen 4th in 100m breast (1:14.05), and 5th in 50m breast (33.98).
Liv Abigail Florendo checked in 12th in the 12-13 200m free (2:16.89), 9th in 200m back (2;32.04) 9th in 400m free (4:44.53); Peter Cyrus Dean, 11th, 17-8 100m back (1:01.03), 8th in 200m back ( 2;13.77), Sophia Rose Garra, 7th, in 12-13 100m back (1;08.55), 7th in 200m back (2;29.16), Jaydison Dacuycuy, 5th in boys 14-15 50m breast ( 31.02), 7th in 100m breast (1;08.03) and Reinielle Jan Trinidad 9th in boys 17-18 50m fly (25.96) and 7th in the 100m fly (56.69).
