National junior record holder Jamesray Ajido and rising star Trixie Ortiguera swept their respective age divisions to crown themselves the Most Outstanding Swimmers in the Luzon leg of the 2022 FINIS Long Course Swimming Championships over the weekend at the Olympic-sized New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
Ajido, the top bet in the country’s participation in the SEA Age Group Championship on Dec. 17-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, set new junior records in the the boys 13-14 class 50m butterfly (26.52), 100m fly (58.13), 50m backstroke (29.20) and 100mback (1:03.48).
The 13-year-old newest FINIS Brand Ambassador broke his own national junior records in 50m fly (26.95), 100m Fly (58.82), 50m back (29.60), and 100m back (1:03.28).
“Every tournament po yung focus ko maimproved ko yung personal best at record ko. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga tumutulong sa akin, sa aking parents na lagging nakasubaybay sa aking training. Sa Kuala Lumpur pilitin kong mas makakaha ng mababang time,” said Ajido, the pride of Golden Zoomers Swim Club.
FINIS Philippines Managing Director Vince Garcia said Ajido’s triumph is the result of his discipline, time management and patience in training.
“We expect him to become the country's future in swimming. Noong kinuha namin siyang brand ambassador nakita na naming kung gaano kaseryoso ang bata sa traing and to excel sa sports na talagang mahal na mahal niya. Kami si FINIS ay tutulong 100 percent sa kanyang hangaring maging Olympian,” said Garcia.
Ajido continued his dominance in winning the 50m breaststroke (33.62), 100m Freestyle (57.82), 50m free (26.23), 200m Individual Medley (2:17.81), 100m breaststroke (1:13.22).
Ortiguera, 15, the pride of Tarlac Aquatics Swim Club, emerged champion in the Girls 15-16 class 100m Freestyle (1:02.71), 100m Back (1:10.36), 50m Free (28.74), 50m breast (39.75), 50m fly (30.71), 200m Individual Medley (2:39.71), 100m fly (1:12.54), 50m back (31.97), 100m breast (1:29.48).
Ajido’s teammates in Golden Zoomers and fellow FINIS Ambassadors National mainstay Kyla Soguilon and Marcus DeKam also shone and collected multiple medals to claim MOS awards in their respective age group class.