Jamesray Mishael Ajido (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Following an impressive performance at the recent Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) national trials, Jamesray Mishael Ajido is now preparing for the 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Thailand this December.
After classes at the La Salle Green Hills where he is in Grade 9, Ajido goes to the nearby Christian Commission Fellowship (CCF) pool in Pasig City for a two-hour session with FTW Royal Swim team coach Sherwyn Santiago.
During the long course of the national trials that concluded Friday at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Ajido won eight gold medals (50m and 100m freestyle; 50m and 100m backstroke; 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle; and 200m Individual Medley) to earn the Most Outstanding Swimmer award in the boys’ 14-15 years category.
"I'm very happy with the results. Although I didn't get many best times, I'm still proud of my performance," Ajido, 15, said in an interview on Saturday.
He also surpassed the Qualifying Time Standard (QTS) in the 50m and 100m butterfly, and 50m freestyle.
"I expected to surpass the QTS because I trained hard before the tryouts, especially my main events," Ajido said, thankful that he regained his form after sustaining a shoulder injury during the Asean School Games tryouts in May.
He had competed in two editions of the SEA Age Group Championship, bagging five medals in Malaysia (2022) and three in Indonesia (2023).
Ajido also won the gold at the Asian Age Group Championship at New Clark City Aquatics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac in February. (PNA)
