PH swim team o to World Championship

A SIX-MAN Philippine swimming team, led by two-time Olympian Jasmine Alkhaldi, left Manila on Thursday for the 17th World Aquatics Championship in Fukouka, Japan.

The 30-year-old, US-educated swimmer qualified in the tournament slated July 23 to 30, along with Southeast Asian Games’ record-holder Xiandi Chua, Thanya Dela Cruz, Jerard Jacinto and US-based Jarod Hatch.

Olympian Ryan Arabejo will coach the team, the first local squad to be sent to an international arena by the World Aquatic-backed Philippine Swimming, Inc., now headed by newly elected president Miko Vargas and secretary general Batangas Rep. Eric Buhain.

“The presence of the world’s top swimmers makes this tournament a fierce competition. But our athletes are out to experience the atmosphere in a high-level tournament, try to improve their personal best times and sharpen their skills,” said Buhain, a Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer and considered the most decorated Pinoy swimmer.

The Filipinos qualified in the annual event based on their FINA points collated in all WA-sanctioned events they participated in.

“The objective is to get the highest World Aquatics points through their best performances and get a chance to compete in the Paris Olympics. We’re hoping for the best for our swimmers,” added Buhain.

Alkhaldi, the face of Philippine swimming for years, qualified in the 50m freestyle, where she has a personal best time of 25.50, as well as in 100m butterfly, with a best time of 1:00.45 she recorded in bagging the bronze medal in Cambodia SEA Games last May.

The 21-year-old Chua, who trained in Australia as part of her preparation for the SEA Games, registered to compete in the 400m individual medley and 200m backstroke, where she has a good chance of finishing strong considering the progress of her time since her return from Down Under, according to her personal trainer/coach former Olympian Pinky

“With the progress of time since will join the team as well,” Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas said. “Manila Chooks! needs more international exposure, build chemistry, and gain more confidence in the pro circuit,” he added.

Seeded 11th in the main draw, Manila! Chooks! will open Pool C play on Saturday, July 22 against world No. 7 club Beijing of China at 4:35 p.m. before facing world No. 15 Utrecht of the Netherlands at 9 in the evening.

The Wuxi Challenger also serves as a qualifier for the World Tour Shanghai Masters that will take place from Oct. 14 to 15, with the top three finishers assured of slots to the Level 10 event.

After not reaching the knockout stages of the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 Manila Masters last May, Lanete said the group is determined to finish better in its latest campaign.