Kayla Sanchez opted to sit out the women’s 100-meter backstroke on Wednesday as the Philippine swimming team prioritized her recovery and preparation for her final event at the 20th Asian Games.
Sanchez was scratched from the event and listed as a Did Not Start on Wednesday at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, allowing the Filipino-Canadian Olympian to conserve her energy for the women’s 50-meter freestyle. The Philippine coaching staff believes she has a strong chance of contending for the gold medal in that event.
National coach Ryan Arabejo said the decision was made to control the factors within the Philippine camp’s reach, particularly Sanchez’s physical condition after her grueling 100m freestyle final on Tuesday.
“Dun tayo sa kaya nating ma-control. So, if we can rest Kayla and prepare her better for tomorrow’s 50 meters where she has a very, very good chance of winning a gold, we gave her a rest,” Arabejo said.
Sanchez was also pulled from relay duties to maximize her recovery time ahead of the 50m freestyle.
The decision came after Sanchez narrowly missed the podium in the 100m freestyle final, settling for fourth place after being edged out for bronze by mere fractions of a second.
(C) POC Media Group
Arabejo said Sanchez deviated from the coaching staff’s original race strategy and opted for a more aggressive approach, particularly during the opening 75 meters.
“In swimming, sometimes, you have to take the risk, even if that is not the plan of the coach,” Arabejo explained. “We gave them a strategy to follow, but the swimmers, they have their range to adjust during the race.”
Sanchez’s early surge kept her in medal contention, but the effort appeared to take its toll in the closing stages as her rivals found enough energy to overtake her in the final strokes.
“She took the risk and went harder in the beginning… Naunahan lang sa very last stroke, so we move on to the next,” Arabejo said.
With the 100m backstroke scratched from her schedule, Sanchez can now devote her attention to the 50m freestyle. Arabejo acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the sprint event, where the smallest details can determine the outcome.
“Ang 50, anything goes diyan… It’s anybody’s game,” he said.
