THE Philippines has closed its campaign at the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships on a high note as Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig and Julia Jewels Pobleto each captured bronze medals on the final day of competition at Boracay Newcoast.
Talosig, who entered the competition hoping primarily to gain international experience, surprised herself with a podium finish in the women’s 20-and-over category.
The 20-year-old swimmer said winning a medal in front of the home crowd made the breakthrough even more special, particularly after entering the race without expecting to finish on the podium.
Pobleto also delivered a bronze for Team Philippines after clocking 50 minutes and 40 seconds in the girls’ 12-13-year-old 3-kilometer event.
Thailand’s Kanchana Konsub won the gold with 47:16 clocking, while compatriot Aliyah Sawangmun claimed silver with 49:48 time.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the tournament’s biggest impact went beyond the medals, highlighting the opportunity for more than 40 Filipino swimmers to compete at the international level on home soil.
“If we don’t host them here, how can we bring 40 athletes to the other countries? Suwerte na siguro lima o 10,” said Gregorio.
Gregorio added that hosting international competitions gives more young Filipino athletes valuable exposure while also promoting sports diplomacy and friendship among participating nations.
“Gagaling at gagaling lang ’yan kasi international-level competition ang sinasalihan nila,” Gregorio said.
The PSC chief also pointed to the interaction among athletes from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore following the competition as another meaningful outcome of the event.
“Yung sports diplomacy at friendship, talagang hindi mo matatawaran ’yan. Napakagandang regalo ’yan para sa kabataan,” he added.
With Talosig and Pobleto’s bronze-medal performances, the Philippines wrapped up the four-day competition with another pair of podium finishes while giving dozens of local swimmers the rare opportunity to test themselves against international competition on home waters. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
The post Talosig, Poblete claim bronze to cap PH campaign at SEA Open Water Swimming first appeared on Fastbreak.
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