Manila, Philippines, 29 July 2015 – Speedo, in partnership with leading beverage brand MILO, recently capped the 6th SPEEDO Long Course National Championships Swimming Competition held at the Rizal Memorial Complex, Manila. More than 350 spectators, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia, PSC commissioner Akiko Thompson, Philippine Swimming, Inc. president Mark Joseph, and swimming Olympiad Eric Buhain, graced the sporting event to see the 450 homegrown swimmers from 45 club teams across the country vie for the highest honors. The competition made a mark in the history of Philippine swimming as the young tankers delivered more than 30 record-smashing time finishes in different swimming meets.
Athletes who have represented the country in national and international competitions such as the MILO Little Olympics, Philippine National Games, and Southeast Asian Games were the standouts in the four-day event.
MILO Little Olympics 2010’s best swimmer Hannah Dato propelled in the Rizal Memorial Complex pool and owned three records, clocking in a time of 9:27.37 in the 19-year-old 800-meter freestyle event, 0:59.35 in 100-meter freestyle event, and 4:34.37 in 400-meter freestyle event. The 2012 Philippine Sports Association Awards and 2012 MILO Junior Athletes of the Year recipients Axel Ngui and Kirsten Chloe Daos are still holding their best records in their respective swimming divisions. 2014 MILO Outstanding Athlete awardee and Palarong Pambansa veteran Jules Ong coveted four swimming records. Her most impressive yet is finishing 200-meter freestyle with the time 2:17.72.
Young tankers Raine Gavino and Xiandi Chua, both at a very young age, have been making waves from prestigious competitions including the Palarong Pambansa and the SEA Games. Up-and-coming swimmer Xiandi Chua saw action and is still the record holder of last year’s 200-meter backstroke with the time of 2:32.02, while Raine Gavino clinched her spot as the fastest paddler in the 50-meter breaststroke, clocking an impressive time of 00:34.37.
Rising stars certainly did not miss their targets and now hold notable records. Jessie King Lacuna, who may be one of the national bets in the 2016 Rio Olympics, swept two time records in the 1,500-meter freestyle and 400-meter freestyle events, clocking in at 16:33.10 and 4:12.09 respectively. Roxanne Ashley Yu, a multiple bronze medalist in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games, broke two new time records, a time of 2:19.82 in the 200-meter backstroke, and 1:00.17 in the 100-meter freestyle event.
Maurice Sacho, Miguel Baretto, Marco Austriaco, Ianio Limfilipino, Philip Yu-Santos, Andrea Ngui, Dara Carreon, Seth Martin, Melissa Courtney Gray, Erika Burgos and Aldo Batungbakal, who now hold multiple time records in their respective categories, also made waves at the competition.
“Guided by our highly competent coaches and supportive parents, we are truly proud of our local talents who brought out their best in this competition,” said Lani Velasco, event organizer, Galaxy Starships Swim Team. “We are delighted to be partnered by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Swimming, Inc. and MILO Philippines in working towards the improvement and advancement of Philippine swimming through this competition.”
With the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Swimming, Inc., and MILO Philippines, the 2015 6th SPEEDO Long Course National Championships Swimming Competition has become an avenue that recognizes the top athletes in swimming. Swimmers who joined the National Championships have met the minimum required times set during the series of meets held in NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao last January to June. The competition follows an international standard and is the first competition in the country to utilize electronic swimming touch pads.
“We at MILO are thrilled to be working with organizations that share the same vision for our young athletes. We work hand in hand to encourage them to grow and be better champions in life through sports,” said Andrew Neri, MILO Sports Marketing Manager. “Our swimmers’ champion stories truly make us Filipinos proud. MILO congratulates the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Swimming, Inc., and event organizer Galaxy Starships Swim Team for a successful 6th SPEEDO Long Course National Championships Swimming Competition.”
MILO is a proud patron of grassroots Philippine sports. For over 50 years, MILO is fully committed in providing the youth with avenues that help them in their journey to become champions, which include national sports programs and competitions such as the National MILO Marathon, MILO Little Olympics, and MILO Sports Clinics.
For more information on MILO Philippines, log on to the official website (http://www.milo.com.ph) or the MILO Philippines Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/milo.ph). Follow MILO on Twitter (@MiloPH) and Instagram (@MiloPhilippines).
