Young PSL tankers overall champs in Tokyo Invitational swimming

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) bagged 33 gold, 35 silver and 12 bronze medals to claim the overall championship in the 2018 Tokyo Invitational Swimming Championship held at the St. Mary’s International School swimming pool in Tokyo, Japan.

Nine Filipino tankers led by Susan Papa Swim Academy product Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (girls’ 11-12) and West Manila Christian School tanker Aishel Cid Evangelista (boys’ 8-under) earned the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) awards in their respecive age-groups.

Mojdeh collected eight gold medals highlighted by four new records in the 100m butterfly (1:04.68), 50m butterfly (29.91), 100m breaststroke (1:17.06) and 200m Individual Medley (2:28.93) events. She also won golds in 50m breaststroke and 100m IM and was part of the team that ruled the 200m medley relay and 200m freestyle relay.

Evangelista also sizzled with four new marks in the 25m freestyle (15.79), 100m freestyle (1:12.17), 50m freestyle (33.48) and 25m backstroke (18.57) apart from his gold medals in the 50m breaststroke and 100m IM.

Richelle Ann Raine Callera joined the list of MOS recipients as she dominated the girls’ 8-U category along with General Santos City bets Francisco Cordero III (boys’ 11-12), Nova Rea Estrada (girls’ 9-10), Izyndro Warain (boys’ 9-10), Ellaiza Nicole Rojo (girls’ 13-14), and sisters Phency Joyce Bose and Phelicity Joi Bose, who shared the top honors in the girls’ 15-18 division.

“It was a job well done. These kids have been working hard before the competition. They put pressure on themselves and hard work pays off. It was a good exposure for these young swimmers to develop their skills,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Overall, the Philippines got 905 points to pocket the top spot while Shanghai International-China settled for second with 460 points and International Beijing Dragons-China wound up third with 389 points.

“We won’t be able to do this without the help of the Filipino community in Japan. Again, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to them especially Myles Beltran and Arnel Pineda as well as Mama Aki and Mr. Katsumata,” added Papa.