Ikinagulat ni Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig ang nakuhang bronze medal sa pagtatapos ng 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships sa Boracay Newcoast nitong Linggo.
Ang 20 anyos na miyembro ng De La Salle varsity swimming team ay gumawa ng hindi malilimutang international debut matapos magtala ng isang oras, 18 minuto at 57 segundo para sa ikatlong puwesto sa women’s 20-years-and-above division.
Nasungkit ni Nadya Sirasawati ng Indonesia ang gold (1:07.23) habang napunta kay Musikul Hirunhas ng Thailand (1:09.15) ang silver.
“Honestly, I just wanted to experience competing at the international level so to win a bronze medal for my efforts and in front of a hometown crowd at that is a pleasant surprise,” ani Talosig.
“This is truly a nice feeling,” dagdag ng swimmer, na nanalo ng gold sa women’s 800-meter freestyle at dalawang bronze sa huling University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88.
Nakuha rin ni Julia Jewels Pobleto ang bronze medal sa girls 12-13 years 3km matapos magtala ng 50:40, sa likod nina Kanchana Konsub (47:16) at Aliyah Sawangmun (49.48) ng Thailand.
Halos nakamit din ng bansa ang podium finish sa pamamagitan ni Alfonso Joaquin de Mesa, na nagtapos sa ikaapat na puwesto sa boys 14-15 class matapos magtala ng 1:04.57.
Mahigit dalawang segundo lamang ang lamang kay De Mesa ng bronze medalist ng Thailand na si Kantapong Polyiem (1:02.55), habang nangibabaw sa karera ang Vietnamese na si Vin Thai Bao Nguyen (57.44) at pumangalawa ang Thai na si Sakdichot Talawong (59.42).
“This hosting is just a dress rehearsal for more international open water events,” sabi ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Patrick Gregorio.
“What is important is that we not only provide a vehicle in promoting sports tourism but also expose our local athletes by competing with the best athletes from overseas as we have the hometown support to inspire them to do their best.”
Pinasalamatan ni Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain ang PSC at lahat ng kalahok para sa matagumpay na pagsasagawa ng tatlong araw na torneo.
“With the gloomy weather before the meet, we feel relieved that the elements cooperated and that we had three straight days of ideal sunny weather for our competition. We could not have asked for more,” ani Buhain.
“Our hats off to PSC Chairman Pato (Gregorio) for fully supporting the championships, opening opportunities for even bigger open water international swimming meets in the future.”