Jamesray Michael Ajido’s quest for the coveted most outstanding swimmer in his age class hit a speed bump as he missed sweeping his last three events on Sunday at the close of the 1st Philippine Aquatics, Inc (PAI) National Age Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
Ajido, 15, an Asian junior record holder in the 12-14 category of the 100m butterfly (55.98), stamped his class in the boys’ 15 Class A 100-m backstroke and 50-m freestyle, clocking 1:02.44 and 24.87 seconds, respectively as he completed his ascendancy as MOS awardee in his class in the three-day tournament serving as the launching pad for PAI’s national ranking system.
The tournament is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Speedo.
The veteran internationalist beat John Jeremy Villanueva of Pasig City Club (1:05.87) and Vince De Leon of Ilustre East (1:09.23) in the fly before downing his rivals Matt Nerison of Elizabeth Seton (26.32) and Elijah Ebayan of South Warriors (26.53) in their freestyle duel.
On his third event in the 200m fly, the La Salle student felt a tightness on his right shoulder, paving the way for Rodevic Gonzalvo of the Green Blasters to steal the thunder from the top swimmer of FTW Royals, clocking 2:12. 44. Ajido finished second at 2:19.03, while Ashton Clyde Jose took the bronze at 2:26.35.
“Hindi naman po matindi, may konting pain pero tolerable naman po, no excuses. Talagang mas malakas lang si Rodevic sa turn hindi ko na kinayang abutan,” said Ajido, still recuperating from a shoulder injury he sustained during the ASEAN Schools tryouts last night.
Still, he claimed the MOS plaque with six golds and one silver medal. He also dominated the 50-m backstroke (28.50), 100-m freestyle (53.97), 100-m butterfly (56.23), and 200-m freestyle (2:00.42).
Likewise, Mojdeh brothers Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper claimed their respective MOS awards, winning two gold medals each and overshadowing the performance of their elite older sister Michaela Jasmine in the tournament serving as a prelude for the national tryouts next month.
Mohammad 13, a Grade 7 student at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College of Paranaque added the boys’ 13 Class A 100m back (1:11.63) and 200-m fly to his gold-medal collection, while the younger Mickael took the gold in the boys’ 9 Class A 100-m back (1;23.90) and 50-m free (35.31).
Behrouz Mohammad also claimed the gold in the boys’ 13 Class A 100-m backstroke (1;16.49), 100-m fly (1:05.41), and 400-m Individual Medley, while Mikhael Jasper topped the boys’ 9 Class B 50-m breast (51.45), 100-, fly (1:34.70), 50-m fly (38.60), 100-m free (1:16.94) and 200-m free (2:45.76) as they helped the Behrouz Elite squad in the team championship.