Diamante shines in COPA swim meet; Public school students free to participate

Photo: Nicola Queen Diamante shows her medal and trophy with COPA officials and Speedo representatives.

NICOLA Queen Diamante emerged as the most bemedalled swimmer after near perfect campaign at the close of the 1^st Novice Swim Championship on rainy Sunday at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.

Diamante, a member of the RSS Dolphines Swim Team, barely made a sweep of her seven events as she shone brightest in her class in the 11-year-old, winning the girls class A 25-meter free style with a time of 14.30 seconds, butterfly (14.80), backstroke (16.30), breastroke (21.40), 50-meter freestyle (30.40), and 100-m Individual medley (1:29.40).

Diamante missed to complete a sweep in this grassroots development program of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) headed by Batangas 1^st District Congressman Eric Buhain and supported by Speedo as she fell short in her duel against Alex Pasia of Sharknado Swimming Team in the 100-m freestyle (45.80) with a clocking of 1:09.10.

Last month during the COPA’s Reunion swimfest, Diamante also adjudged the most prolific swimmer with four-gold medal haul in Class A 100-m butterfly (1:21.30); 100-m backstroke (1:24.70); 100-m freestyle (1:11.00) and the 200-m back (3:04.90).

“Masayang masaya po ako at nagpapasalamat sa COPA dahil tuloy-tuloy ang tournament nila sa mga kabataang tulad ko. Mas gagalingan ko pa po sa susunod. Medyo maginaw na kanina kaya hindi ko na masyadong nakahirit,” said Diamante, referring to gutsy wind and rainshower as Manila felt the effect of typhoon ‘Karding.

Weather bureau declared signal No.3 in Manila late afternoon but the organizers is just lucky to finish the event after lunch break.

“Inagad nga namin after we receive the info about the signal warning. Pasalamat naman kami at natapos ng maaga at napauwi natin ang lahat bago pa bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Hindi na kami nag-awarding, abot na lang yung mga medals,” said technical director head Richard Luna.

COPA Board member Chito Rivera said he expected a huge participation from public school student on the coming event as the organization announced the plan to double the number of participants in the next tournament — the Reunion 3rd leg swim challenge on Oktubre 22-23. Also lined up is the Sprint meet with the introduction of SKINS Swim event (Nov. 12-13); and Short Course Yuletide Swimming Championship (Dec. 10-11).

“Masayang –masaya yung mga estudyante natin mula sa public school. Yung isa ngang coach, pasalamat ng todo dahil ngayon lang daw sila nakalaro bukod sa mga division meet ng Deped para sa Palarong Pambasa. Sabi ko, sagot ng COPA ang participation fee ninyo kaya wag na kayong mag-alala, basta may event ang COPA kasali kayo,” said Rivera, also the head coach of the Jose Rizal University varsity squad.

Other winners were Chloe Phoemela Constantino in the 14-yrs 25-m frestyle (class C, 15.70), Alexandra Pascua (class N, 18.10), 15-over 25m freestle, Mary Christine Llorente (class A, 13.95); Katreena Via Duque (class C, 14.50); Faith Real (class N, 17.20); 8-yrs 50-m free, Isebelle Ramirez (class A, 44.90); Eunice Jacinto (class N, 55.60); 9-yrs 50-m free, Alandria Delantar (class A, 36.20); Alexndra Cai (class C, 47.40); Rafaella Decano at Shane Salvador (class N, 49.50); 10-yrs 50-m free, Allianah Soriano (class A, 35.80), Ianne Zafra (class C, 45.50); Kate Lopez (class N. 48.70); 11-yrs 50-m free, Alex Pacia (class C, 42.30); Simone Llanto (class N, 45.05).

In the 6-under 25-m breast, Natalie Noa De Vega (1:00.80); 7-yrs breast, Samantha Mendoza (class A, 28.30); Miesha Icban (class N, 35.40); 8-yrs breast, Isebella Ramirez, class C, 29.40); Jann Mendoza (class N, 31.70); 9-yrs breast, Alandria Delanter (class A, 21.90); Shane Salvador (class C, 27.90); Alexndra Cai (class N, 29.40);

Jamela Manocan in girls 13-yrs back (class A, 17.50); Ilaire Libat (class C, 18.00); Ashley Marquez (class N, 21.00); 14-yrs back, Chloee Constantino (class C, 18.60); Mishka Merla (class N, 20.70); 15-over back, Katreena Via Duque (class C, 16.70); Patricia De Chavez (class N, 18.70); 10-yrs butterfly 25-m Andrea Jimenez (30.30); 12-yrs. 25-m butterfly, Kisses Libat (class A, 15.60); Annika Padron (class C, 20.20); Richeane Samson (class N, 24.50).