BORACAY — First-time international campaigner Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig and young swimmer Julia Jewels Pobleto delivered bronze medals for the Philippines as the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships concluded Sunday at Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.
Talosig clocked one hour, 18 minutes and 57 seconds to secure third place in the women’s 20-and-above division, turning what she initially viewed as an international learning experience into a podium finish before the home crowd.
The 20-year-old De La Salle University swimmer finished behind Indonesia’s Nadya Sirasawati, who captured the gold medal in 1:07.23, and Thailand’s Musikul Hirunhas, who took silver in 1:09.15.
Pobleto accounted for the Philippines’ other bronze medal after completing the girls’ 12-13 3-kilometer race in 50:40.
Thailand swept the top two spots, with Kanchana Konsub winning gold in 47:16 and compatriot Aliyah Sawangmun claiming silver in 49:48.
The Philippines nearly picked up a third medal through Alfonso Joaquin de Mesa, who placed fourth in the boys’ 14-15 division with a time of 1:04.57.
Vietnam’s Vin Thai Bao Nguyen ruled the race in 57:44, while Thailand’s Sakdichot Talawong took silver in 59:42 and Kantapong Polyiem secured bronze in 1:02.55.
For Talosig, the bronze medal was an unexpected reward in her first international open water competition.
“Honestly, I was just wanted to experience competing at the international level so to win a bronze medal for my efforts and in front of a hometown crowd at that is a pleasant surprise,” Talosig said.
“This is a truly a nice feeling,” added Talosig, who recently won the women’s 800-meter freestyle gold medal and two bronze medals at the UAAP Season 88 swimming championships in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
The championships were organized by Philippine Aquatics Inc. and sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation, with support from the Aklan provincial government and Malay municipal government./PN
