NICOLA Queen Diamante emerged as the most bemedaled swimmer with a near perfect campaign at the close of the First Novice Swim Championship yesterday at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Diamante, a member of the RSS Dolphines Swim Team, nearly completed a sweep as she shone in the 11-year-old division, winning the class A 25-meter freestyle with a time of 14.30 seconds, butterfly (14.80), backstroke (16.30), breaststroke (21.40), 50-meter freestyle (30.40), and 100-m Individual medley (1:29.40).
Getting away from Diamante in the grassroots development program of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. headed by Batangas First District Rep. Eric Buhain and supported by Speedo was the 100-m freestyle where she clocked 1:09.10, losing to Alex Pasia of Sharknado Swimming Team.
During COPA’s Reunion event last month, Diamante emerged as the most prolific swimmer by ruling the Class A 100-m butterfly (1:21.30); 100-m backstroke (1:24.70); 100-m freestyle (1:11.00) and the 200-m back (3:04.90).
“Masayang-masaya po ako at nagpapasalamat sa COPA dahil tuloy-tuloy ang tournament nila sa mga kabataang tulad ko. Mas gagalingan ko pa po sa susunod. Medyo maginaw na kanina kaya hindi ko na ako masyadong nakahirit,” said Diamante, referring to gutsy wind and falling rain as Manila felt the effect of typhoon “Karding.”
Up next for COPA Reunion 3rd leg swim challenge on Oct. 22-23. Also lined up is the sprint meet with the introduction of the Skins Swim event (Nov. 12-13); and Short Course Yuletide Swimming Championship (Dec. 10-11).
