Demaisip ends long drought in diving
MANILA, Philippines — Monique Ann Demaisip delivered the Philippines’ first diving gold in a long while after she topped the 1m women’s open individual event in the 10th Asian Age-Group Championships in Bengaluru, India Sunday.
The 12-year-old Demaisip’s feat gave the country its first international victory in the sport since Sheila Mae Perez copped the Southeast Asian Games gold in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Philippine Swimming Institute president Lani Velasco said Demaisip is one of the country’s top finds from the US where the latter took part in the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei two years ago and became a member of the national diving team that trained in China early this year.
“This is actually the first gold for diving ever since I volunteered (for the PSI),” said Velasco.
She, however, said the 1m event will not be part of the diving calendar in the 30th SEAG this December in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
“It’s sad that there will be no 1m in the SEAG but only 3m,” said Velasco.
Velasco is hoping Demaisip could turn out to be like Perez, who pocketed four SEAG golds in diving, the last one coming in 2007 before she decided to retire in 2011.
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