Fil-Am Coleman shines in PH swimming trials

MANILA – Filipino-American Riannah Chantelle Coleman won the girls' 14-15 50m breaststroke event at the start of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) national trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso pool at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Thursday.

The 15-year-old student from the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in Capas, Tarlac clocked 33.96 seconds to break the Southeast Asian Age Group Qualifying Standard Time (QTS) of 33.98 seconds.

Coleman beat Krystal Ava David of Golden Sea Eagles (34.69) and Jamaica Enriquez of Pangasinan (35.62).

"It feels so amazing because I sacrificed so much for this moment. I woke up at 2 a.m. every day to practice before going to school, there's so much pressure on me but surprisingly I made it and I am so very happy with the results," said the 5-foot-6 Coleman, a protegee of coach Dax Halili of Dax Swim Club.

"I was excited when I saw the name of Ate Kayla (Sanchez) in the starting list. I said to myself, wow I'm going to swim off with the Olympian medalist, but unfortunately, her name was scratched at the last minute. Sayang!"

Fil-Canadian Kayla Sanchez, who won the relay bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games representing Canada and competed at the Paris Olympics as a Filipino, did not compete in the 50m breaststroke, one of three events she entered in the trials.

"She was exhausted. The parade yesterday ended late. When we returned to the hotel, she's not feeling well. When she woke up this morning, she has a slight fever so we decided to scratch the event today," explained Kayla's father, Noel.

Fil-Americans Gian Santos and Jaydison Dacuycuy also dominated their respective events.

Santos, who is based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, ruled the boys' 16-18 400m freestyle in 4:01.26, six seconds better than the QTS (4:07.74).

Paolo Miguel Labanon of Davao (4:07.79) and Anton Della of La Union (4:17.70) placed second and third, respectively.

Dacuycuy won the boys' 14-15 50m breaststroke in 30.39 while Fil-Mongolian Enkmend Enkhmend was second in 30.60s followed by Sebastian Marcelo (30.94).

The trials will select the members of the national training pool who will represent the country in international competitions this year until the first two quarters of 2025.

"Don't miss the opportunity. Whatever you have learned in training, give your best. We at PAI will take care of everything if you make it to the national team," PAI secretary general, Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain, said during the opening ceremony attended by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and executive director Paulo Tatad.

The other gold medalists were Behrouz Mojdeh (11-13, 4:40.05), Aishel Evangelista (14-15, 4:18.27), and Adrian Eichler (19-over, 4:07.01) in the boys' 400m freestyle; Daniel Bumadella (11-13, 33.82), Joaquin Taguinod (16-18, 30.16), and Jaeddan Gamilla (19-over, 28.34) in the boys' 50m breaststroke; Rielle Antonio (11-13, 36.98), Arabella Taguinota (16-18, 34.14), and Alyza Ng (19-over, 33.20)in the girls' 50m breaststroke; and Makayla Petalvero (11-13, 4:53.57), Kyla Bulaga (14-15, 4:45.31), Jie Talosig (16-18, 4:40.93), and Mishka Sy (19-over, 4:41.29) in the girls' 400m freestyle. (PNA)