Multi-talented public school kid tries mettle in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - A product of the public school system and one of the rising young stars of the Palarong Pambansa will have the chance to pursue his young dreams in swimming when he competes for the first time in an international competition in the Singapore Island Swim Club annual competition from Aug. 6-7.

Abdulrahim A. Noob, 13, from Cotabato, started his free training in swimming in 2009 when he was in Grade 5 at the Sumulong Elementary under PSL coach Nunilon Moreno.

The PSL, headed by Susan Papa, and the Diliman Preparatory School, under former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, are sending him to the international meet where he competes against swimmers from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei and China to expose him this early to foreign competition.

In August 2009, after only a month in training, he garnered five medals (bronze and silver) in the district meet. A month later, the young boy represented the Pasay-DepEd division in the NCR Palaro as part of the relay team.

Noob, born of Muslim parents, was one of the delegates of NCR to the Milo National Little Olympics held at Cagayan de Oro where he won gold medals in the 50m and 100m breast, 4x50 m medley relay and 4x100 m medley.

Realizing his potentials, current and former officials of the Pasay City government, headed by its mayor and lone district representative, gave him the support he needed to move to higher levels.

In August 2010 during the school year’s district meet, he became the most outstanding swimmer, winning 4-6-3 gold-silver-bronze medals that qualified him for the NCR Palaro.

Despite a flu, he won a silver and a bronze which qualified him for the Palarong Pambansa where he garnered gold medals in the 50m breast-stroke and 4x50m medley relay, which broke the 2006 Palaro record.

In a follow-up to his training program, he was adjudged most outstanding swimmer of the PSL-DPS eighth leg last February with six golds and one silver. In the Mediatrix inter-Luzon meet, he exceeded the Palaro record in the 50m breaststroke

Outside the pool, Abdulrahim plays the organ also under his swimming coach. He was most promising performer during the March 26 DepEd Grand Recital in Pasay City.

He was also honored as outstanding school pupil of Juan Sumulong Elementary School for two consecutive years, from Grades 5-6.

During his elementary years he sparkled also in martial arts (Okinawan karate), athletics, visual arts, music (as member of the Pasay children’s choir) and in stage play. His achievements on various fronts netted him 74 medals and two trophies.

During his elementary graduation he was conferred the honor Natatanging Manlalaro ng Taong 2010-2011, the highest award given to the most active and most bemedalled student of the year.