Once in a while in an otherwise routine tryouts for a certain national team comes a virtual unknown to most local fans and from practically nowhere, but ends up as the one who really made the biggest splash all week long.
Christopher “Gian” Santos did this in the recently concluded Philippine Aquatics, Incorporated’s National Sports Trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila. The trials will be used to identify and select possible members of the national swimming team that will represent the country in forthcoming international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games and others.
Santos copped an impressive six gold medals in as many events. Aside from winning his races, Santos also turned in impressive times to win the Most Outstanding Swimmer award, too.
As an ordinary swimming fan who grew up idolizing Eric Buhain, Christine Jacobs and Akiko Thompson to name a few, Santos’ supertanker performances in the tryouts were amazing considering he had only less than a week to train and prepare before coming to Manila. He also had a few practice swims after flying alone from California to join the tryouts. Despite these, he practically dominated his events, whether in sprint or long distances and even in several categories. Normally, a swimmer will have his favorite or pet event, either in the freestyle, backstroke or breaststroke. But Santos showed his versatility and mental fortitude in making an impact in the pool. Indeed, Supertanker G is not your typical tanker.
The Designated Kit Man had a chat with Santos after he got back in the United States and he was very happy with his feats.
“I was able to lower my own national junior record by 2.6 seconds and then got my fourth junior national record in the 100M freestyle. Overall, it was a good meet,” Santos said.
Santos clocked 4:31.33 (four minutes and 31.33 seconds) in the 400M IM; 0:50.70 in the 100M freestyle; 1:51.39 in the 200M freestyle; 4:01.26 in the 400M freestyle; 2:05.99 in the 200M individual medley; and 2:18.30 in the 200M breaststroke. Because of these impressive performances, Santos was able to get a sponsorship before leaving Manila.
For his future competitions, TYR Philippines will have his back.
“I’ll be able to take a small load off my plate in terms of financial expenses,” Santos shared.
But more than the records, endorsement and personal bests, Santos was very thankful for the opportunity after the pandemic to reunite with his friends, fellow junior swimmers, relatives and his two adoring Lolas who traveled all the way from Pampanga just to see him compete for the first time.
“One of the main reasons actually why I wanted to go to Manila is for my Lola Lou and Lola Remy (from his father’s side) to be able to come and watch me. They have been supporting me all my life and this was the first competition, where they were able to see me in person. It was a totally different experience having them on the sidelines,” Santos shared.
The two Lolas keep tabs on their favorite apo in California by watching Santos’ tournaments through Didi’s (Gian’s ever supportive Mom and lifetime president of his fans’ club) posts in Facebook.
To set the record straight, Santos’ parents are both Filipinos – Didi is from Bacolod and dad Marlon is from Pampanga.
Santos is hoping that with his exploits, he is a step closer to his dream of representing the Philippines in the senior swimming team soon. Santos believes that he is ready for the next phase of his career in representing the country on a much bigger stage like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the United States.
“It means everything to me. The LA Olympics is my main end goal. It is the main reason why I’m still swimming. I’m hoping that it will be my final big competition for the Philippines. It will be my last hurrah. And also to create more memories and be a better person on and off the pool as I go along chasing my dream,” Santos said.
For the meantime, Santos will go to college to pursue a BS Neuroscience Degree at Columbia University in the next few days.
Santos says his ultimate goal is to become a doctor after hanging up his goggles.
“Swimming is just a phase in my life. Hopefully, after the 2028 LA Olympics I can pursue my other goal to become a doctor. It is more permanent,” he added.
Columbia was among the six Ivy League Schools that offered scholarships to Santos. Incidentally, Santos graduated valedictorian in Tesoro High School in Las Flores, California.
Santos definitely will be a good addition to our national swimming team that has been in search of glory and support for the past few years. Swimming before has been a gold mine in the Southeast Asian Games for the country before, with more promising swimmers like Santos just doing their best to come over at their own expense and time just to deliver outstanding performances, swimming may yet rediscover the spark that it needs to reclaim its past glory and create new connections, experiences and stories with fans in the coming days.
Here is hoping that our officials running the NSA will not drop the ball, literally, in the pool.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
