A lean 5-member Philippine swimming team left for Netanya, Israel on Thursday night to challenge the world’s toughest junior swimmers in the 9th World Aquatics Junior Championships scheduled to start on Wednesday (Tuesday in Manila).
National junior record holders Micaela ‘Water Beast’ Mojdeh and Heather White led the Philippine Team, selected through FINA rankings.
Joining them are Gian Santos, Alexander Eichler, and Marco Daos, replacing Cambodia SEA Games double gold medalist Tea Salvino, who opted not to join the team as she focuses her sights on the coming Asian Games in China.
Former Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and swimming icon Akiko Thompson is head of the delegation, while another Olympian Jessie King Lacuna is the head coach.
“On behalf of the entire Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) Board of Trustees, headed by president Miko Vargas, we pray for the successful stint of our five swimmers,” said PAI secretary general, Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.
“It wasn’t easy getting all the necessary approval to send a team, but with the support of the World Aquatics, we had a special accommodation given the status of the then PSI. And we look forward to our possible reconfirmation as a new federation to ensure the future of our Filipino Aquatics athletes.
Both Mojdeh and White were part of the squad that was sent in last year’s edition in Lima, Peru, with the former making it to the semifinals in the 100m butterfly.
“I am excited because my teammates from Bellevue Swim club Piper and Clare will also be representing USA and Canada, respectively in this big event,” said the 16-year-old Mojdeh, the pride of Brent International School in Laguna.
Before the World Championships, Mojdeh and White went to Bellevue, Washington in the US for a three-month training camp at the world-class Bellevue Swim Club under the supervision of renowned swimming coach Abi Liu, a member of the Team USA national coaching staff.
Mojdeh will participate in the women’s 400m Individual Medley, 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 200m IM, 100m butterfly, and 200m breaststroke, while the 15-year-old, Vietnam-based White takes part in the women’s 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, and 200m freestyle.
The 16-year-old Santos will see action in the 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle and Filipino-German Eichler in the 100m and 200m butterfly.