Fil-Canadian swimmer pokus sa Hangzhou Asian Games

LALAKTAWAN ni Filipina-Canadian Kayla Noelle Sanches ang World Aquatics Championship na naka-iskedyol simula sa Hulyo 14 hanggang 30 sa Fukuka, Japan para maka pokus sa Asian Games.

Sanches, na ipinanganak ng Filipino parents at lumaki sa Canada, ay nagwagi ng silver medal (4x100m freestyle relay) at bronze (4x100m medley relay) bilang miyembro ng Canadian team sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Inanunsyo ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Miyerkules na si Sanches ay nag desisyon na mag concentrate sa Asian Games, na gaganapin sa Hangzhou, China mula Setyembre 23 hanggang Oktubre 8.

“I have met with my coach, and we have decided it is best for me not to compete in Fukuoka,” Wika ng 22-year-old Sanchez kay Tolentino. “This means I can be focused to medal in the Asian Games in September.”

“I have a very intense competition schedule after Asian Games with another world championships and the Olympics,” Dagdag pa ng the 5-foot-5 swimmer.

Sinabi ni Tolentino na tiwala siya kay Sanches at sa desisyon ng kanyang coach sa pagsali sa Hangzhou.

“Kayla’s a veteran swimmer, even at only 22, and she and her coach know what’s best,” anya.

Sinabi ni Sanches gusto niyang hintayin ang full confirmation mula sa World Aquatics tungkol sa kanyang eligibility na sumabak para sa Pilipinas.

“Before I withdraw from the competition, I think we should wait until World Aquatics approves my transfer. At least then, we know that I am 100 percent cleared to race for the Philippines in the Asian Games,” Tugon ni Sanchez,na kailangan makumpleto ang one-year residency sa Pilipinas para makumpleto ang kanyang transfer.

Pinasalamatan rin nya si Tolentino sa tulong para makakuha ng approval mula sa World Aquatics.

“And I think this is the best decision for me right now and I will make it count next year,” dagdag nya.