WINNER. Jamesray Mishael Ajido holds the Philippine flag after winning the boys’ 12-14 100m butterfly event in the 11th Asian Age Group Championships at New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac on Feb. 28, 2024. Ajido, together with Mishka Sy, ruled their respective categories at the start of the three-day Philippine Aquatics, Inc. National Age Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Friday (June 21). (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – National junior team members Jamesrey Mishael Ajido and Mishka Sy ruled their respective categories at the start of the three-day Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Age Group Championships at Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Friday.
The 15-year-old Ajido, who is still recovering from an injured left shoulder sustained during the ASEAN School Games tryouts last month, won the boys’ 200-meter freestyle in two minutes and 00.42 seconds over Ashton Clyde Jose of Leviathan Swim Club (2:07.63) and Zoilo Larrazabal of Rising Atlantis (2:08.00).
“He's still dealing with the injury even though he took a long rest after the ASEAN School tryouts. He's joined this tournament to see the extent of the progress of his therapy and in preparation for the national tryouts in August," Ajido's mother, Lovell, said after the event.
Ajido bagged the gold medal in the 12-14 100m butterfly at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships held at New Clark City Aquatics Center in Tarlac last February with a time of 55.98 seconds, breaking the 56.36 time of Chinese Wang Yu Xiang in 2019.
In the girls’ division, Sy claimed victory in the 400m Individual Medley (5:17.43) and 200m freestyle (2:13.14) in the over-17 category.
The 19-year-old Sy, a member of the FTW Royals Swim Club, prevailed over Aubrey Tom (5:37.51) and Dianna Cruz (5:37.58) in the 400m IM.
She conquered standout Camille Buico of Rising Atlantis (2:16.61) and Atasha Dela Torre (2:20.63) in the 200m freestyle.
Other winners were Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls' 14 Class A 200m freestyle (2:18.02); siblings Mikhael Jaspe Mojdeh in the boys' 9 Class A 200m freestyle (2:45.76) and Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh in the boys' 13 Class A 400m IM (5:12.65); Yzac Valencia in the boys' 10 Class A 200m freestyle (2:43.07); and Pia Ato of One Ilocos Sur in the girls' 14 Class B 400 IM (6:02.10).
Meanwhile, PAI secretary general and former Philippine swimming standout, Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain, led officials and guests in a moment of silence for the late PAI executive director and coach Francisco “Chito” Rivera before the start of competition.
“We’re very thankful to all the support and prayers. Malaking bagay ito para sa aming pamilya. I’m sure happy po si coach Chito sa pagmamahal na ibinigay ninyo sa amin (This is a big honor for our family. I’m sure coach Chito is happy with the outpouring of love for us),” Rivera’s wife, Evangeline, said.
Buhain and fellow Olympian Akiko Guevara, current president of the Philippine Olympian Association, handed over a framed white t-shirt to Rivera’s family as a gesture of pride and respect.
“Truly, a great loss for Philippine swimming. So we, in PAI, will do our best to continue his programs. It's sad he didn't see the implementation of the programs,” Buhain, referring to the database system for athletes' progress and profiles, said. (PNA)
