Alkhaldi, may nais pang patunayan
SA bawat sabak ng Team Philippines sa multi-event international competition, kabilang ang swimmer na si Jasmine Alkhaldi sa delegasyon ng bansa.
Hindi man naging matagumpay sa naging kampanya sa Asian Games at Olympics, malaki ang naging kontribusyon ng 25-anyos sa tagumpay ng bansa sa abroad, kabilang na ang Southeast Asian Games.
Sa kabila ng mahabang panahong ginugul sa pagsasanay at kompetisyon, hindi pa rin nawawala sa isipan at damdamin ni Alkhaldi ang determinasyon na makapagbigay ng karangalan sa bayan.
Inamin ni Alkhaldi, nagtapos ng Business Marketing at Business Management sa University of Hawaii, maraming oportunidad siyang tinalikuran dahil sa hindi nawawalang paghahangad na maglingkod sa bayan.
“I felt it in my heart that my time swimming for the Philippines is not over just yet... I just felt like I still have more to give. I still have the fire and the passion, so I’ll keep going,” pahayag ni Alkhaldi sa ekslusibong panayam ng Manila Bulletin Sports Online/Balita.
At bilang paghahanda sa sandaling kailangan ang kanyang presensiya, nakalinya kay Alkhaldi ang mga lalahukang kompetisyon para maihanda ang sarili sa pagsabak sa 2019 SEA Games na gaganapin sa bansa.
Sasabak siya sa FINA World Cup sa Singapore sa Nobyembre, gayundin sa World Swimming Championships sa Hangzhou, China sa Disyembre. Nais ni Alkhaldi na mapalaban sa mga pinakamahuhusay na swimmer sa mundo.
“In order to perform my best at the upcoming SEA Games, I need to keep pushing myself to the limits by training hard and competing constantly against my competitors,” aniya.
At nananatili ang disiplina sa kanya para sa katurapan ng pangarap.
“My swimming program includes weights sessions in the gym about 3 times a week, as well as some strength and conditioning sessions 2-3 a week,” pahayag ni Jasmine.
Hindi rin maitatangi na ang kanyang kayumihan ay may posibilidad sa modelling business, ngunit iginiit niyang prioridad niya ang swimming.
“Well, I am very open to becoming a brand ambassador or model but I prioritize my training sessions and work those things in between if given the opportunity to do so,” aniya.
Ipinagpasalamat niya ang pagkakapili bilang sports ambassador ng Hapee toothpaste na pag-aari ni Dr. Cecilio Pedro.
“Dr. Cecilio Pedro has been supporting swimming for years now. He has been supporting me since the start of the year but has been supporting swim teams for years now. I believe this has a positive impact on the athletes to continue working hard and pushing themselves knowing that there is private support,” pahayag ni Jasmine.
Kung may bentahe siya laban sa mga lockl na karibal, sinabi ni Alkhaldi na tunay na nag-iba ang pananaw niya sa maraming bagay dahil sa pagiging mature.
“Clearly age alone makes me feel more mature as a swimmer and person. I train a lot smarter now and think differently than I have before. I approach things with a different and clearer mindset to look at my swimming career from a different light,” aniya.
Nagbigay din siya na munting mensahe sa mga kabataan na nagnanais na maging kompetitibong swimmer.
“My advice to other athletes is to definitely dream big! And once you have that dream in your heart - work hard towards achieving that dream. With faith and hard work, anything is possible,” sambit ni Alkhaldi.