Mojdeh twinkles anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) continued its impressive showing in the 2018 Tokyo Invitational Swimming Championship by claiming 11 gold, eight silver and five bronze medals yesterday at the St. Mary’s International School swimming pool in Tokyo, Japan.

Palarong Pambansa most bemedalled athlete Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh also reset the girls’ 11-12 record on the second day of the tournament, which drew more than 500 tankers from 22 foreign teams.

Mojdeh topped the 50m butterfly event in 29.91 seconds to break the 29.98 previous record Japanese Yuri Chino established in 1997.

“We want to dedicate this competition to coach Susan Papa who’s always there to guide us in reaching our dreams of becoming a world-class swimmer. She taught us a lot of lessons not only in swimming but in life as well especially on being a good person,” said the 12-year-old Mojdeh.

West Manila Christian School’s Aishel Cid Evangelista won anew in record fashion, breaking the boys’ 8-under 100m freestyle mark in one minute, 12.17 seconds, eclipsing the three-decade old norm of 1:14.61 Japanese Kei Karamaki set in 1987.

It was Evangelista’s second record after erasing the 25-year mark of Olympian Miguel Molina in the 25m freestyle event (15.79) on opening day.

Other gold medal winners: Phency Joyce Bose (15-18 200m back, 2:37.88, and 200m free, 2:25.13), and Richelle Callera (8-under 25m fly, 16.71, and 100m free, 1:18.07); Trump Christian Luistro of Hope Christian School-Legazpi (9-10 50fly, 36.28), and General Santos City bets Zaine Franchesca Abao (9-10 100m breast, 1:44.49), Ellaiza Nicole Rojo (13-14 200m free, 2:21.39), and John Alexander Talosig (13-14 200m free, 2:01.23), and the girls’ 11-12 200m freestyle relay (2:10.08).