Jasmine eyes redemption in Singapore

Swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi swears she has moved on from the bizarre turn of events that denied her the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games two years ago in Myanmar.

“I have very much moved on since Myanmar and learned a lot from it,” said the 22-year-old Fil-Saudi Arabian. “I used that to motivate me in practice, to work harder.”

Alkhaldi became a victim of what many perceived as an injustice when she was told to return the gold medal she won for topping the women’s 100meter freestyle event.

The jury upheld the protest filed by the Thai camp claiming there was a false start. The unprecedented decision came as a shock since the medals had been awarded.

Alkhaldi returned the medal and took part in the re-swim where she ended up with the bronze medal.

Two years after that dark episode of her career, Alkhaldi is ready to win the gold medal in Singapore.

“I would be disappointed if I won’t win the gold, but winning any sort of medal would be good too,” she said.

Much of the country’s hopes at the pool lie on the five-foot-nine charmer who will be making her fourth Games appearance. She accounted for two of four bronzes won by the Philippines two years ago.

She will compete in five individual events, including the 50, 100 and 200 meter freestyle. She is also entered in the 50 and 100 meter butterfly.

“I have been training very hard ever since then and I am hoping to get personal bests in this meet,” she said.

Understandably, Alkhaldi looks forward to topping the 100-meter freestyle.

“I think with the 100 free, the expectations are high especially because of what happened the last time,” said Alkhaldi whose personal best of 56.36 seconds stands as the national record for the event.

Alkhaldi showed her readiness for the Games when she won three gold medals in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) swimming championships held last January at the East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium in California.

She won the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle and provided a leg for Hawaii’s four winning relay squads for an outstanding seven victories. Her exploits earned her the MPSF Swimmer of the Year title and a spot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) first division championships.

Alkhaldi credits much of her improvement to her coach Jennifer Buffin.

“She always pushes me in practice and believes that I can achieve whatever it is that I set my mind to,” she said.

Her goal is to qualify for the Summer Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro.

A graduating student majoring in marketing and management at University of Hawaii, Alkhaldi doesn’t see herself quitting the sport at the moment.

“I’m going to continue swimming and training, but I’ll probably be looking for a job or going to graduate school, not sure yet,” she said.

Alkhaldi has been swimming since she was three years old.

“Swimming is a big part of who I am and I really love and enjoy the sport. It feels weird when I am not swimming,” she said.