Davao’s Nikolai Enot led the Philippines’ campaign in the 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Championships at the Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Enot, the pride of Davao City, bagged the silver in the boys 16-18 50-meter backstroke, his second medal after taking the bronze in the 100m backstroke.
Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh also contributed another silver medal. After winning silver in the 100m butterfly, also won the silver in the girls 16-18 200m butterfly.
The 12-member team formed by Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) headed by Miko Vargas captured a total of eight medals, including one gold from Jamesray Mishael Ajido.
The 15-year-old Ajido clocked 25.53 seconds to win the boys 14-15 50m butterfly event over Gusti Pramana of Indonesia (25.98) and Khattawan Juhara of Thailand (26.00).
The Grade 9 student at La Salle Greenhills also broke the 25.71s record set by Nguyen Hoang Khang of Vietnam in the 2018 Manila edition.
It will be recalled that Ajido delivered the country’s lone gold medal at the Asian Age Group Championships in New Clark City last February, winning the 100m butterfly (55.98s) in the 12-14 category.
“Our youth program is like a gift that keeps on giving, and the PAI is truly proud of our young athletes for keeping the winning spirit alive despite huge and tough challenges. And we shall treat this recent campaign as sort of ‘pampa good vibes’ as we face new challenges in 2025. To our young team, thank you for ending our year on a high note,” Eric Buhain, a former national swimmer who serves as PAI secretary general, said on Tuesday.
“The year 2024 is a good one for PAI and the rest of the aquatics community. With solidarity in place and our relationship with the community getting stronger by the day, we believe Philippine aquatics will have a banner year 2025,” added the Batangas 1st District congressman.
Meanwhile, Xiandi Chua, Chloe Isleta, Andrian Eichler, and Merin Mahmutuglu are in Budapest, Hungary for the World Championships (short course) starting Wednesday. (PNA)
