Lacuna, Alkhaldi start bid in swimming

SINGAPORE – Jasmin Alkhaldi and Jessie Lacuna open their bid in swimming competitions today, both tipped to advance in their respective heats for spots in the finals at the Singapore Sports School here.

Alkhaldi will be the first to see action in one of the morning heats in the 100m free while Lacuna is listed in heat 5 of the boys’ 200m free.

“Jasmin is seeded in lane 3 in the final heat,” said Team RP chef de mission Mark Joseph. “This means she is ranked No. 16 among the 64 starters.”

The 16-year-old Lacuna, on the other hand, is seeded in his heat, next to the top-ranked Chinese swimmer who is two years older than him.

Lacuna is seeded No. 7 among the 40 entries in the 200m free.

Hopes are high for the two RP bets to advance and both are gearing up for medal quests later in the day following a series of international competitions and a rigid two-month training in Australia.

Lacuna was originally set to vie in one of the heats in the 400m free yesterday but decided to concentrate on his favorite 200m free event where Joseph, also the swim chief, said he has more chances of advancing to the finals.

Lacuna is also set to see action in the 100m free and 200m fly while the 17-year-old Alkhaldi will also see action in the 50m and 200m free and 100m fly.

Meanwhile, Patricia Llena, ranked fifth in a field of eight, vies for a medal tomorrow in the 63kg women final at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.