Rain or Shine clinches fifth win over Blackwater Bossing
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Fil-Am swimmer makes splashing debut at PAI Nat’l Trials
Filipino-American swimmer Gian Santos exhibited superb performances during the first Philippine Aquatics Inc. National Trials over the weekend at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool in Rizal Memorial Aquatics Center.
Santos, an incoming freshman at the Columbia University in New York City, displayed impressive forms as he swept multiple gold medals, set two new junior national records, and earned the prestigious Most Outstanding Swimmer award.
His accomplishments and exceptional performances significantly strengthened his bid to join the Philippine delegation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as the trials are crucial in selecting the national swimming team that will see action in various international tournaments ahead.
Santos bagged gold medals in the boys 16 to 18 class 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m breastroke, 200m individual medley (IM), and 400m IM.
The 18-year-old promising athlete also set two new junior national records for 100m freestyle after registering a time of 0:50.70 and in the 200m breaststroke with a 2:18.30.
PHOTO COURTESY: DAILY TRIBUNE
“Honestly, I was very pleased with my results,” Santos said.
“I attended this meet (Philippine Aquatic National Trials) with one the primary goals of just enjoying the moment, and enjoying the sport. By doing well here, it shows me how limiting the mind can truly be,” Santos told Good News Pilipinas in an interview.
All qualified athletes from the Philippine Aquatic National Trials will be sent to compete and represent the country in the upcoming 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championship in Thailand in December 2024, as well as in the 55th Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships, and the 67th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships both happening in 2025.
Santos also expressed his goal to represent the Philippines in upcoming major sporting events, including the next Olympics.
“Moving forward, I intend to compete at the World Championships in Singapore in July of 2025, the SEA Games in Thailand in December 2025, the Asian Games in Japan in September 2026, the World Championships in Budapest in 2027, the SEA Games in 2027, and eventually the 2028 LA Olympics,” he concluded.
