NICOLA Queen Diamante and Andreana Isabel Mirandilla emerged as the top performers in the girls’ division of the 2nd Reunion Swim Challenge yesterday at the Teofilo Ildefonso pool of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Diamante, the pride of RSS Dolphins, shone brightest in her class with four gold medals in the 11-year-old category, ruling the Class A 100-m butterfly in 1:21.30; 100-m backstroke (1:24.70); 100-m freestyle (1:11.00) and the 200-m backstroke (3:04.90).
Mirandilla, of the Sta, Rosa Laguna Swim team, won three gold medals in the girls’ 9-years-old class, winning the 50-meter backstroke (Class B) in 53.50 seconds; 100-m backstroke (Class C) in 2:07.60 and 100-m freestyle (Class C).
The event was organized by Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) headed by Batangas 1st District Rep. and swimming icon 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 in the meet will be given another chance in COPA’s next event, the 1st Novice Swim Championship set Sept. 17-18.
“‘Yung Novice Swim natin isasama natin dito ‘yung mga swimmers na hindi naka-medal dito. Dito may chance silang makabawi and mas madagdagan ‘yung kanilang exposure and experience. Training and tournaments, ‘yan ang kailangan ng atleta para tuloy-tuloy ‘yung development,” said Rivera, also the varsity coach of Jose Rizal College in NCAA.
