Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh sets new Philippines junior record, shatters two PSL marks

MANILA, Philippines — Palarong Pambansa most bemedalled athlete Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh once again broke a Philippine national junior record during the 152nd Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series-ABC Swim Challenge at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

Mojdeh displayed her sterling form in the girls’ 12-year 100m butterfly, registering one minute and 4.71 seconds to reset her old national record of 1:05.10 established during the SICC Swimming Championship in August in Singapore.

“It’s really my goal to break records in each competition that I’m joining but I was surprised that I broke that national record again. It only shows that the program given to me by coach Susan Papa is working, and I’ll be forever grateful to her. I want to dedicate this to coach Susan,” said Mojdeh.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque standout also erased two meet records – in 200m butterfly (2:22.55) and 200m breaststroke (2:52.70) – in the tournament supported by The Manila Times, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Jas Yummy Steakz, MX3, TYR and Vermosa.

Male Swimmer of the Year Marc Bryan Dula of Masville Elementary School also sizzled with three new records in the boys’ 11-year division.

Dula, a Susan Papa Swim Academy standout under coach Alexandre Papa, opened his campaign with a record-breaking feat in the 100m backstroke, checking in at 1:11.41 which was way better than the six-year-old 1:15.16 mark of Seth Isaak Martin in 2013.

Dula continued his impressive showing by scoring two more new records in the 200m backstroke in 2:37.00 and the 200m individual medley in 2:38.47.

From the national series, Mojdeh and Dula are to spearhead the Parañaque City swimming team in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa National Capital Region qualifying tournament slated next month.

Other record-breakers were  Althea Villapena (girls’ 14-year 200m backstroke, 2:50.04), Aishel Evangelista (boys’ 8-year 100m backstroke, 1:23.76), Shaina Andal (girls’ 13-year 200m breaststroke, 3:01.10) and Jordan Lobos (boys’ 15-over 200m breaststroke, 2:37.74).

“We are so proud of these young swimmers who broke records in their respective events. These kids are products of our grassroots development program and we’re happy to see them grow,” said the PSL president.