VIGAN, Ilocos Sur ― Swelling in numbers, the swimming competition kicked off ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships at Quirino Sports Complex in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur this afternoon.
To the organizers’ great bewilderment, the centerpiece swim event drew around 1,700 entries from all over the country and they expect to finish it in five days instead of the usual two to three days time period.
“There are even 194 entries per event in the swimming contest that will be held from 9 am up to 11 in the evening. Sa kadaghan sa entries, gahi na gyod ang swimmer nga maka-medal,” Misamis Oriental swim coach Edward ‘Wawang’ Maut told Gold Star Daily.
Maut said today’s swim hostilities before the 3:30 pm opening parade will serve as a warm-up for the young and ambitious MisOr tankers.
“Our expectation to win medals on the pool will be on the second day of action or on Sunday,” added Maut, who mentioned Cathlene Joy Hengania, daughter of local basketball celebrity Janjan Hengania, among his bright prospects to make a podium finish.
“We’re about half of MisOr swim entries and our task to give a good fight is even more difficult,” said Cagayan de Oro swim coach Edson Blanco.
Already, the Batang Pinoy National Championships for athletes aged 15 years old and below produced Tokyo Olympic gold winner Hidilyn Diaz and world champion gymnast Caloy Yulo.
It officially resumes after a three-year pandemic hiatus through a memorandum of agreement signed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Noli Eala and host Ilocos Sur Gov. Jerry Singson.
PSC veteran, lawyer Guillermo B. Iroy expects around 7,000 athletes from 81 provinces and 144 cities and municipalities nationwide to duel it out for around 2,000 medals — 600 gold, 600 silver, and 795 bronzes — from 17 online and face-to-face events.
The heritage City of Vigan hosts face-to-face disciplines in archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and obstacle course racing (demonstration sport). While arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay thay, pencak silat, taekwondo, and wushu are held via an online platform.
