COPA SUPORTADO ANG STABILIZATION COMMITTEE

IDINEKLARANG tagumpay ang ikinasang National swimming tryouts ng Stabilization Committee na nilahukan ng 188 atleta at nakalikha ng isang national record, gayundin ng 39 swimmers na nakapasa sa itinakdang Qualifying Time A at B.

“It’s a success. We owe it a lot to all the swimmers who brave the challenges, to the coaches and swimming clubs, associations particularly those from the provinces who travel from as far as Mindanao just to be here to support the Stabilization Committee in our effort to unite the community and select the most deserving swimmers for the Philippine Team,” pahayag ni Stabilization Committee member Bones Floro.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa nakalipas na 20 taon, isinagawa ang swimming tryouts na inclusive at libre para sa lahat ng Pilipinong manlalangoy, at kabilang sa tumugon ang Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) at ang Swim League Philippines (SLP).

Kabuuang 100 atleta mula sa Manila, Luzon at mga lalawigan sa Visayas at Mindanao na miyembro ng mga swimming club na affiliated sa COPA ang sumabak sa qualifying meet, sa pangunguna ni Xiandi Chua ng Top Swim Club na humakot ng tatlong gintong medalya, kabilang ang Qualifying Time-A sa women’s 200m backstroke sa tyempong 2:17.79 (2:19.90).

Ang pamosong swimmer ni dating National mentor Pinky Brosas, isa sa founder ng COPA, ay humirit din ng Qualifying Time-B sa 100m freestyle sa oras na 57.83 segundo (57.84) at sa 400m freestyle sa tiyempong 2:05.40 (2:05.76).

Agaw-pansin din ang COPA Region 12 representatives na magkapatid na Jie Angela Mikaela at John Alexander Michael ng Sayap Pirates Swim Club. Nakopo ng 16-anyos na si Jie ang gintong medalya sa women’s 800m Freestyle (9:32.23) at sa 400m freestyle (4:37.72)

Humirit naman ang 18-anyos na si John ng ginto sa 400m Individual IM ( 4:49.13)at silver a 200 IM (2:14.88), habang nanopresa ang 14-anyos mula sa Dumaguete na si Kacie Gabrielle Tionko ng Salabites Swim Sting na kumubra ng tatlong bronze medals laban sa mas beteranong karibal sa 800m Freestyle (9:54.60), 400m Freestyle (4:48.33), at 100m Breaststroke (1:21.78).

“The Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. are fully supporting the Stabilization Committee. For the first time in years may isang national tryouts na inclusive at free para sa lahat ng Pinoy swimmers. That’s why we talked to all our clusters head to send their best swimmers. With this we’re happy and proud to say that COPA was well represented by our swimmers from Manila up to far flung provinces in Mindanao,” sabi ni COPA president at Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.

“Dahil alam ng swimming communities na may mapupuntahan na ang kanilang mga swimmers from age group to junior meet up to the national level, walang dudang mas maraming kabataan ang magsi-swimming nito. This is the best thing that happened in Philippine swimming,” aniya.

EDWIN ROLLON