The Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) released the names of 44 young swimmers – 22 boys and 22 girls – who have qualified to compete as members of the Philippine Team at the prestigious 11th Asian Age Group Aquatics Championships which the country will be hosting from Feb. 26 to March 9 at the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

In an official memorandum dated Dec. 19 to all swimming stakeholders and duly signed by PAI Secretary General Batangas First District Rep. Eric Buhain, the 44 swimmers got FINA qualifying points during the National tryouts held last October at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool in Manila.

Around 2,000 young swimmers from 45 countries across Asia are expected to participate in the tournament originally scheduled in December this year. Each participating country can only field a maximum of 44 swimmers.

“In addition, in line with our formal request to the World Aquatics for the recognition of this championship as an official qualifying competition for the 2024 Paris Olympics, we anticipate a fierce and spirited competition among the 45 participating countries of Asia Aquatics,” added Buhain, a two-time Olympian and Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer.

The women’s 18-over squad is made up of World Championships veteran and Southeast Asian Games medalists Chloe Isleta of One Ilocos Sur and Xiandi Chua of TopSwim Club who are qualified to swim in the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Freestyle garnering 762 and 749 World Aquatics points, respectively.

Joining them are Thanya Dela Cruz of Ayala Harpoons (50m breast,31.83), Erin Castrillo of Rising Atlantis (50m back,30.80), Alyssa Ng of Waver Runners (50m breast,33.97) and 2023 Philippine National Games (PNG) sixth gold medal winner and UAAP Most Outstanding Athlete Quendy Fernandez of Palawan Swim Club (100m back,1:05.49).