Ten-year-old keys Pinoys’ 122-medal haul in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - Ten-year-old Seth Isaak Martin broke the meet record in five events in winning five gold, four silver, and two bronze medals as he led the Philippine Swimming League’s total medal haul of 50-42-30 gold, silver, bronze medals in the Singapore international age group swimming meet last weekend.

“I see a lot in yellow t-shirts at the awarding stand,” the announcer said, referring to a sea of yellow shirts, the official color uniform of PSL, which finished with 1510 points.

Philippine Ambassador Minda Cruz, who cheered for the PSL team, expressed her appreciation for the fine showing of the Filipino age groupers headed by PSL president Susan Papa and secretary general Susan Benasa.

“I saw how they evolved. Last year, they were winning but not as much as now, that you hear a PSL swimmer being called as winner left and right,” said Ambassador Cruz.

Paula Cayanan won all her events – the 200m individual medley, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly.

The gold medal winners were Paul Ann Regine Cayanan, Dara Clarisa Evangelista, Charize Juliana Esmero, Nikki Yvonne Tantuachut, Emanuel Joshua Lorbes, Lans Rawlin Donato, McTracy John Alindogan, Troy Jordan Espiritu, Steven Kymson Tiu, Bettina Bianca Ting, Michael Lozada, Aaron Steven Ho, Celyn Parco, Jason Ryan Difuntorum, Angelica Mae Medrano, Ma. Angela Villamil and Kara Therese Colaste.

Lorbes, and Cayanan were the most outstanding swimmers.

“Everybody just performed amazingly. It was our goal from Day 1 when we arrived in Singapore – to win the overall championship – and the swimmers delivered,” Papa said.