Philippine artistic swimming got the needed boost when US-based Filipina swimmer Georgia Francesca Carmina Sanchez Tan collected three medals, including one gold, in the recent 18th Singapore Open Artistic Swimming Championships at the Singapore Aquatic Center.
The 16-year-old Bacolod City pride gave the country a breakthrough in the sport with an amazing performance in the Solo Free Group C Open Seniors’ class, garnering a total of 96.6370 to beat Shashani Fernando of Sri Lanka (95.35.89).
Coached by Giella Garcia Sanchez and trained with Meraquas of Irvine, California, Tan finished second in the Solo Tech Group C (15-19 Juniors) and claimed the bronze in the Solo Tech Group D (Open Seniors) with 187.4137 and 130.9950 points, respectively.
“We celebrate this milestone for Artistic Swim in the Philippines! Maraming salamat, Philippine Aquatics, Inc. Apart from coming home to compete here in Singapore, she will also compete in the upcoming SEA Age Group Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 6-8, 2024,” said Sanchez.
Tan will join the Philippine Team for the SEA Age Championship, which also includes Antonia Lucia Rafaelle and Zoe Lim.
PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain announced in a memorandum dated November 18, 2024, the lists of junior athletes comprising teams for regular swimming, diving, and water polo.
The 13-man swimming team will comprise of Ryian Zach Danzel, Reinielle Jan Mikos Trinidad, Peter Cyrus Dean, Jaydison Edrei Dacuycuy, Jamesray Mishael Ajido, and Ivo Nikolai Enot for the boys’ squad while the girls’ team is composed of Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Shania Joy Baraquiel, Sophia Rose Garra, Riannah Chantelle Coleman, Maxene Hayley, Liv Abigail Florendo.
Multi-titled junior standout Aishel Cid Evangelista led the boys’ water polo squad along with Elijah Caleb De Leon, Lance Edrick Adalin, Matthew Cameron Dasig, Julian Christi Malubag, Miel Joaquin Ugahan, Kenzzie Trey Dumanglas, Niklas Joaquin De Guzman, Andrei Karl Alagban, Joaquin Federico Mirasol, Alexandre Gabriel Establicida, Dave Russel Geda, and Sean Gabriel Enero, while the girls squad is made of Sofia Isabel de Guzman, Ashly Ann Addison, Alexandra Raesher Dela Paz, Josie Ann Addison, Mitzie llegunas, Julia Ysabelle Basa, Aygana Ladip, Elizha Joyze Ferrer, Grazielle faith burgos, Shinloah Yve San Diego, Judith Margarette Morrison, Cyril Ann Espongia, and Samantha Janine Balagot.
“So, what we have here is a team composed of swimmers who showed their worth as serious competitors. And now it’s up to them to try and go beyond their current worth, and we, on the other hand, continue our monitoring and evaluation of their development. This is part of our program with the end goal of creating the next team of truly exceptional and big battle-ready athletes,” said Buhain.
