Batangas native Clevic George Daluz led five triple-gold medalists for the Most Outstanding Swimmer Awards, on Sunday at the close of COPA-Golden Goggle Legs 1 and 2 at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Center in Malate, Manila.
The eight-year-old Grade 1 student at the Agustin Ramos Memorial Elementary School in Balayan topped the boys’ 8-year-old class 50-m backstroke with a time of 51.03 seconds and the 100-m breaststroke, clocking 2:01.11 in a fitting follow-up to his opening-day triumph in 200-m freestyle (3:36.78) on Saturday.
The event was supported by Speedo, the Philippine Sports Commission and MILO.
“Masaya po ako kasi nabigyan ko ng medals ang team namin at ang mama at papa ko,” said Daluz of the Balayan Tigers Swim Team.
Other triple-gold winners were Marcus Pablo, John Rey Lee, Samantha Mia Mendoza and Jamie Aica Summer Sy.
They all qualified for the Luzon Championship in August, when the top swimmers clash with the best from the Visayas and Mindanao Regional Championship of the tournament organized by the Congress of Philippine Aquatics, headed by swimming icon Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.
Pablo, who also won the boys’ 7-year-old class 200-m freestyle (4:14.17) on Saturday, delivered anew in the 50-m back (1:00.01) and 100-m breast (2:14.28), while Lee clinched top honors in the 9-year-old age group after winning the 100-m breast (2:10.26), 50-m back (52.33) and 200-m free (3:17.50).
The pride of Coach King Swimming Team, Mendoza topped the girls’ 8-year class 100-m breast (2:13.77); 50-m breast (55.29) and 200-m free (3:23.73), while Sy capped her performance in the girls’ 12-years class, winning the 100-m breast, clocking 1:41.87. She also won the 50-m back (38.68) and 200-m free (2:43.10).
“COPA is doing its best for swimming development. After our regional championships for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, mayroon tayong National Championship in November. We are also in close coordination with our friends abroad for an international-flavored event na tayo ang host at hindi ‘yung tayo ang gagastos para bumiyahe pa. Tuloy-tuloy din ‘yung coaches’ education program natin,” said COPA treasurer and event director Chito Rivera.
Legs 3 and 4 of the tournament resume on April 22 and 23.
Other winners were Keisha Blair of Flying Lampasot in the girls’ 14-year class 50-m back (35.39); Marie Rejuso in the 15-years (34.11); Dane Urquico in 16-years (34.38); Fie Dolliente in the 17-years (35.15); Dianna Cruz in the 18-years and over (33.73);