Nicola Queen Diamante and Andreana Isabel Mirandilla emerged as the top performers in the girls’ division of the 2nd Reunion Swim Challenge on Sunday at the Teofilo Ildefonso Olympic-sized pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Diamante shone the brightest in her class with a four-gold medal haul in the 11-year-old category as the pride of RSS Dolphins won the Class A 100-m butterfly with a time of 1:21.30; 100-m backstroke (1:24.70); 100-m freestyle (1:11.00) and the 200-m back (3:04.90).
Mirandilla, for her part, delivered for the Sta. Rosa Laguna Swim team with three gold medals in the girls’ 9-year-old division, winning the 50-meter backstroke (Class B) with a time of 53.50 seconds; 100-m backstroke (Class C) at 2:07.60 and 100-m freestyle (Class C) in the tournament organized by Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc., headed by swimming icon and Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.
“We’re very happy and proud as once again, COPA delivered on our promise to give our homegrown swimmers a venue where they can show their talents and the opportunity for them to grow and develop not just their skills, but character as well,” said Buhain.
Tournament Director Richard Luna and COPA Treasurer Chito Rivera awarded the medals and certificates to all the winners and participants in the two-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and MILO.
Rivera said swimmers, who failed to win medals here have a chance to excel further in COPA’s next event –the 1st Novice Swim Championship set September 17 and 18.“Sa Novice Swim natin, isasama natin dito ‘yung mga swimmers na hindi naka-medal. Dito may chance silang makabawi and mas madagdagan ‘yung kanilang exposure and experience. Training and tournaments, ‘yan ang kailangan ng atleta para tuluy-tuloy ang development,” said Rivera, also the varsity coach of Jose Rizal College in NCAA.
Aside from the Novice Swim Championship, COPA has slated the Reunion 3rd leg on October 1 and 2; the Reunion Swim Challenge Championship on Oct. 22 and 23; the Sprint meet with the introduction of the SKINS Swim event on Nov. 12 and 13; and the Short Course Yuletide Swimming Championship on Dec. 10 and 11.
Other winners were Kade Baluyot in 10-year 100m free (Class B, 1:21.000); Rhian Chloe Pattugalan (Class C, 1:52.00); Jud Limosnero in the 12-year 100-m free (Class A, 1:12.20); Kisses Libat (Class B, 1:14.50); Claire Lim (Class C, 1:24.60); Patriz Arenas in the 13-year (Class B, 1:12.30); Anna Domenica Samson in the 9-year 50-m backstroke (Class C, 1:03.20); and Briana Lim in 12-year 200-m back (Class A, 3:09.30).Also triumphant were Janna Rysa Articulo (Class C, 3:28.50); Zidane Salting 13-year 200-m back (Clas A, 2:51.20); Danica May Aquino (Class B, 3:08.80); Micayla Syrene Chua (Class C, 3:22.30); Rose Charlize Bustos in the 14-year 200-, back (Class A, 2:50.00); Mariz Capalar (Class B, 2:56.60); Krisha Apin in the 15-year over 200-back (Class A, 2:40.90); Carmenrose Matabuena (Class B, 2:45.20); and Franceska Punzalan (Class C, 2:58.00).