SLP-FINIS swimmers, sabak sa Tokyo meet

HINDI pahuhuli at inaasahang hahakot ng medalya ang 23-man Swim League Philippines-FINIS Team sa 2020 Age Group Championship Swim Meet sa March 7-8 sa St. Mary’s International School swimming pool sa Tokyo, Japan.

Pangungunahan ang koponan nina Philippine National junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh ng Behrouz Elite Swimming Team at Marcus Johannes De Kam ng Quezon Killerwhale, sa gabay ni coach Virgi De Luna.

Sasabak ang Palarong Pambansa standout at Brent International School-Laguna multi-gold medallist Mojdeh sa walong event, kabilang ang anim na individual -- 400m freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Individual Medley, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly at 200m butterfly.

Pambato naman ang 14-anyos na si De Kam sa boys’ 13-14 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle at 200m freestyle, at kabilang sa relay events – 200m medley relay and 400m freestyle relay.

“We formed a strong team as we aim to win the overall championship crown this time. These are the best swimmers in the group and we’re hoping to have a fruitful campaign,” pahayag ni SLP-Finis team manager Joan Mojdeh.

Inaasahan ding magbibigay ng karangalan sa bansa sina Julia Ysabelle Basa sa girls’ 1112 50m backstroke, 200m IM, 100m IM, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly at 100m backstroke; Behrouz Mojdeh sa boys’ 8-under 25m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 25m freestyle; at Shaenna Marie Andal sa girls’ 13-14 200m breaststroke, 200m IM, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, 400m IM at 200m backstroke.

Kasama rin sa koponan sina Christ Jade Andal (15-18), Jacob Arabes (15-18), Yohan Mikhail Cabana (13-14), Peter Cyrus Dean (1213), Jordan Lobos (15-18), Lance Lotino (15-18), Jhad Mattheus Macatangay (15-18), Mervien Jules Mirandilla (15-18), John Neil Paderes (1518), Hugh Alberto Parto (9-10), Hugh Antonio Parto (13-14), Alexander Radovan (15-18), Ivan Radovan (13-14) and Zahjeed Sarmiento (11-12) sa boys’ division; Judith Morrison-Lonie (15-18), Danae Sarmiento (13-14), Althea Gem Villapena (15-18) at Althea Janine Virrey (13-14) sa girls’ class.

Nakahanda muli para suportahan ang koponan ng Filipino community sa Tokyo, Japan, sa pangunguna nina Myles Briones Beltran, Arnel Punzalan at Mama Aki ng pamosong ‘Ihawan’.

“We’re all excited to see them again, cheer for them as they fight for gold medals for our country. We will extend all the support that they need. This is yearly gathering and we’re all excited here,” pahayag ng mayuming si Briones Beltran.