Anthony Linn Navarro to join Philippine swim team tryouts

CEBU, Philippines - Anthony Linn Navarro, seen as the next big thing in Cebu swimming among the fast-rising talents is set to face what could be his toughest challenge ever – the National Youth Team try-out on February 25 to 27 in Makati City.

Navarro, a student of the Cebu Eastern College and honed under the Cebu Blue Marlins Swimming Club of coach Rolando Alvarez will be the lone aspirant from Cebu so far.

According to coach Alvarez, only Navarro will try out for the RP Youth as he is the only one ready for the challenge.

 “Ang uban, hilaw pa,maybe next year, pwede na. Grabe na kalisod makasulod kas RP team karon. I’d say even si Anthony Linn maglisod ani ba, pero manginkamot lang gyud mi ani,” Alvarez told The Freeman yesterday.

More than being the lone Cebuano swimmer to join the try-out, its going to be a tough challenge ahead for Navarro as it has been a long time that a Cebuano swimmer has made it to the RP Youth team and much more in the senior squad.

The last time that Cebuanos got into the Philippine Youth squad that is recognized by the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (formerly the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association) was in 1996 as recalled by coach Alvarez including the likes of Andrei Yosef Ynclino, Lynette and Tanya Ang, and Matthew Vincent Vega.

As for Navarro, to get into the PHL Youth team would mean getting a chance to represent the country in this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Age-group Championships and in the next Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia among other international competitions. (FREEMAN)