PSL, ASAP age-group tankers test mettle in Australian All-Star Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Ranged against age-groupers from Australia, Asia and Africa, the five-member team of the Philippine Swimming League gained the unique experience of competing against the best of Australian youth in the site of two World Cup tournaments – the world-class Challenge Stadium Sporting Complex – in Perth, Australia.

The All Star Challenge, held April 3-4, is an international meet which pits the best young Australian swimmers, aged eight and under and 9-17, against their counterparts from Asia and Africa in the state-of-the-art swimming complex which had hosted FINA World Cup tournaments on two occasions.

“It is an exciting opportunity for developing swimmers,” said PSL president Susan Papa, a former national swimmer.

“I am proud of these boys and girls who swim it with the Australians despite being beginners. This kind of foreign exposure develops their heart and soul to swim and compete the best they can at an early age.

“The venue itself is intimidating, but they made it. This is the way to develop our young swimmers – make them competitive in big tournaments while they gain a unique social experience,” Papa said.

The RP Swim League team is represented by Ela and Sidney Miralao, Miguel Thruelen, Gertie Pilapil and Paul Jerome Carpio who joined swimmers from other Asian countries to form the Asian All-Star Team.

Australia’s event concept started with the highly successful “Aussie vs Asia All Stars” in the 2000-01 season.

Previous years pitted Australia vs swimmers from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

The International Coaching Educational, a seminar for all coaches, will be attended by PSL and Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines coaches Al Papa and Manny Thruelen, who accompanied the swimmers.

In yesterday’s opening events Miralao placed second among the Asian Teams in the 9-10 category and was with the freestyle relay team that finished second. His sister, seven-year-old Ela, clocked 43 seconds in the 50m freestyle. Thruelen timed 27 seconds in the 50m freestyle and 29 seconds in the 50m buttterfly in the 15-16 age group.

Carpio, embarked on a swimming program six months back, clocked a personal best 30.9 seconds.

Only FINA-approved swimwear was allowed to be worn at the swimming events.