A Filipino-American athletic scholar at the government-run National Academy of Sports and a trio of Filipinos based abroad posted stunning performances yesterday as the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) 50-meter (long course) National Sports Trials got going at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool in Manila.
Riannah Chantelle Coleman, a regular campaigner in the local swimming circuit, broke the 33.98 seconds Southeast Asian Age Group Qualifying Standard Time (QTS) for girls 14-15 50-meter breaststroke with a winning time of 33.96.
A protegee of coach Dax Halili of the Dax Swim Club, Coleman beat Krystal Ava David of Golden Sea Eagles (34.69) and Jamaica Enriquez of Pangasinan (35.62) in the event backed by Speedo, Pocari Sweat and the Philippine Sports Commission.
“It feels so amazing because I sacrificed so much for this. I woke up at 2 a.m. every day to practice before going to school, there’s so much pressure on me but surprisingly I made it and I am so very happy with the results,” said Coleman, 15.
Fil-Canadian Kayla Sanchez was set to compete in the race but was a no-show.
“I was excited when I saw the name of Ate Kayla (Sanchez) in the starting list. I said to myself, ‘Wow I’m going to swim with the Olympian medalist, but unfortunately, her name was scratched at the last minute, Sayang!’” Coleman said.
Sanchez, 23, a bronze medalist in the relay event while swimming for Canada in the 2021 Tokyo Games before representing the Philippines in the just concluded Paris Olympics, opted to rest, according to her father, Noel.
“Napagod ng husto. Nalate kasi ‘yung parade yesterday. Pag-uwi namin sa hotel kagabi masama na ang pakiramdam. Kaninang pag-gising medyo may sinat na kaya nag-decide kami na scratch na lang ‘yung event today,” the father said.
The trials will be used to determine the members of the national training pool who will represent the country in international competitions this year until the first two quarters of 2025.
