PH swimmers collect 6 medals in AAGC
NEW CLARK CITY: The Philippines collected six medals in the 11th Asian Age Group Championships (AAGC) that culminated Thursday evening, February 29, at the New Clark City Aquatics Center here.
Jamesray Ajido spearheaded the charge for the home country as he pumped in three medals highlighted by a historic gold in the 12 to 14 boys 100-meter (m) butterfly event on Wednesday evening.
Ajido also reset the national and meet record of 55.98 seconds for the age bracket in handing the Philippines its first ever gold medal in the tournament.
“I’m very happy ... I was surprised to finish first ... I dedicate this to the Lord and to my parents. I really did my best,” said Ajido, a student of La Salle Green Hills. A Batang Pinoy standout, Ajido also produced a silver medal in the 50-m butterfly on Thursday evening when he submitted a personal best time of 25.43 seconds. The 15-year-old Ajido, likewise, made the podium of the 50-m freestyle where he registered 24.34 seconds to seize the bronze on Tuesday evening.
Despite being 15 years old, Ajido was eligible to compete in the 12 to 14 age group since the cut off for the competition was set late last year, when he was still 14.
Filipino British Heather White, meanwhile, produced a pair of bronze medals in the meet.
The 16-year-old placed third in the 15 to 17 girls 100-m butterfly with a clocking of one minute and 3.09 seconds on Tuesday before capturing third place honors again in the 100-m freestyle on Thursday with a time of 57.86 seconds.
Jasmine Mojdeh, meanwhile, completed the six-medal haul for the Philippine swimming team by notching a bronze in the 15 to 17 girls 200-m butterfly event.
The 17-year-old Batang Pinoy standout clocked 2:21.87 on Wednesday evening, moments before Ajido seized the gold.
This is the best output of the Philippines in the history of the Asian Age Group Championships.