Host Philippines had a reason to celebrate after winning its first gold medal, courtesy of Jamesray Mishael Ajido in the boys 12-14 category, 100m butterfly event of the 11th Asian Age Group Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac on Thursday.
The Grade 8 student from La Salle Greenhills ruled his pet event in 55.98s, breaking the meet record of 56.36 set by Chinese Yu Xiang Wang in 2019.
Japan’s Yusei Nishiono took the silver medal with a record-breaking 56.05s, while Chinese Taipei’s Yung-Cheng Kan settled for the bronze medal in 56.79.
“I was expecting to win a medal, but I’m not sure what color. I’m happy that I won the gold,” Ajido, who also secured the bronze medal in the 50m freestyle with a time of 24.34 – a personal best and a national record – last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Japanese swimmers, who broke 19 meet records, now have 29 golds, 17 silvers, and four bronzes in the tournament organized by Philippine Aquatics, Inc. headed by Miko Vargas.
Hong Kong is in second place with 14 golds, 10 silvers, and 11 bronzes, followed by Kazakhstan (14-10-3) and Thailand (14-8-20).
Japan’s Toya Hirata captured the gold medal in 23.21, a new meet record that broke the 24.03 time set by compatriot Yuga Takashima in 2019.
“This is special for me. I am proud to win medals for the Philippines. I dedicate my victory to the Lord and my family,” said Ajido, a double-gold medalist (100m butterfly and 100m backstroke) in the NCAA Season 99 championships.
Last year, he won five gold and one bronze medals at the Batang Pinoy National Championships and pocketed two silvers at the SEA Age Group Championships in Indonesia.
