Tankers shine in Singapore meet; Zamora breaks mark

SINGAPORE – Philippine Swimming League (PSL) started its title-retention bid on a high note by bagging 10 golds, 11 silvers and six bronzes highlighted by Sean Terence Zamora’s record-breaking feat yesterday in the 2015 Singapore Invitational Swimming Championship at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) here.

Zamora, a University of Santo Tomas standout, submitted one minute, 1.27 seconds to rule the boys’ 14-15 100-meter butterfly. He broke the five-year-old mark of 1:02.16 of Incheon Asian Games champion and Southeast Asian Games multi-gold medalist Joseph Schooling of Singapore in 2010.

“Na-challenge talaga ako nung nakita ko yung time nung mga kalaban ko. Malalakas sila kaya talagang ibinuhos ko na lalo na sa final stretch.

Target ko po kasi talaga na makuha yung record,” said Zamora, the reigning Male Swimmer of the Year.

Singapore’s Zhong Qing Ang settled for second with a time of 1:02.79 while Diliman Preparatory School’s Paul Christian Cusing took the bronze in 1:05.22.

Sharing the spotlight were Indian Ocean All Stars Challenge gold medalist Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (girls’ 8-9 100m butterfly, 1:21.48, and 50m breaststroke, 44.71) and Hong Kong Stingrays  veteran Charize Juliana Esmero (girls’ 12-13 200m freestyle, 2:26.17, and 50m back, 34.40), who earned two gold medals each in their respective events.

“We are amazed at the superior performance of our athletes especially Sean Terence Zamora who broke the meet record of Asian Games champion Joseph Schooling of Singapore. We are proud of his achievement. This kid has a bright future,” PSL secretary general Maria Susan Benasa said.