Hugh Antonio Parto and Marcus De Kam led the Quezon Killerwhale Swim Team in a 31-medal onslaught, but the much-awaited duel of national junior standout Jasmine Mojdeh and Fil-Briton swimming prospect Heather White created the buzz on the opening day of the 2022 FINIS Short Course Swim Series-Luzon leg Saturday at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Tarlac.
The 15-year-old Parto and his senior buddy De Kam swept their respective three events, while White edged the much prominent Mojdeh in two final duels, while Kristian Yugo Cabana joined his teammates as a double medalist in the event organized by FINIS Philippines.Parto claimed the gold in the boys’ 15-16 100-m Individual Medley with a time of 1:03.30 against Peter Dean (1:04.92) and Angelo Sadol of Coach Agot Team (1:06.27), even as he dominated the 100-m butterfly in 57.77 seconds over Timothy Capulong of Tarlac (1:02.56) and Sadol (1:02.96).
He added the 50-meter backstroke title with a time of 29.55 seconds against Tim Capulong (30.03) and Sadol (30.47).
“Loaded po ‘yung training namin kay coach Virgil de Luna after last week’s SLP competition. Happy po dahil na-improve po ang lahat ng personal best time ko,” said Parto, a Grade 10 student at La Salle-Lipa.In the boys’ premier 17-18 class, De Kam from Calayan Educational Foundation claimed the gold in the 100-m IM with a time of 58.95 against Yohan Cabana (1:01.49) and Ruben White (1:01.55), then came out with a sterling performance in the 100-m butterfly with a clocking of 56.87 over Ivan Radovan (57.66) and Miguel Thruelen (57.83).
He snatched his third gold medal in the 50-backstroke in 27.49 seconds against Erick Abustan (27.96) and Yohan Cabana (28.21).
The Vietnam-based White beat homegrown and Palaro champion Mojdeh in their girls’ 17-18 class 100-m butterfly duel with a time of 1:02.74. Mojdeh had 1:03.66, while Maria Barretto finished third (1:07.64).
In their second duel in the 100-m IM, White repeated over Mojdeh (1:07.44) with a time of 1:07.16. Barreto finished third anew at (1:10.35).
“I’m so excited having a swim-off with Jasmine (Mojdeh). Swimming against the best is really a good experience. Hopefully, I can make it at the podium in my other events,” said the International School student in Vietnam.