Fil-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez to focus on Asian Games
Published Jul 5, 2023 07:09 am
Fil-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez is skipping next week’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan to concentrate on her campaign in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino disclosed this on Wednesday, July 5, following the decision of the 22-year-old Olympian and her coach. “I have met with my coach and we have decided it is best for me not to compete in Fukuoka,” Sanchez told Tolentino. “This means I can be focused to medal in the Asian Games in September,” she added. Sanchez, however, said she would wait for the full confirmation from the World Aquatics regarding her eligibility to compete for the Philippines before she withdraws from the competition. She needed to complete a year’s residency in the country to complete her transfer following her decision to switch federations last year. “Before I withdraw from the competition I think we should wait until World Aquatics approves my transfer,” she said. “At least then we know that I am 100 percent cleared to race for the Philippines in the Asian Games.” Sanchez added she has an intense competition schedule even after the Asian Games, including another world championships and hopefully, the 2024 Paris Olympics. Born to Filipino parents, Sanchez has represented Canada including at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she bagged a silver medal with her teammates in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Tolentino said he trusts the decision of Sanchez and her coach, and is optimistic that she could deliver the medals in the Asian Games. “Kayla’s a veteran swimmer, even at only 22, and she and her coach know what’s best,” Tolentino said. The last time the country won a medal in the Asian Games was in 1982 in New Delhi, India courtesy of William Wilson, who pocketed the gold medal in the men’s 200m freestyle.
*Fil-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez hopes to bring home the Asian Games medal for Team Philippines. (File Photo/MB)
*Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino disclosed this on Wednesday, July 5, following the decision of the 22-year-old Olympian and her coach. “I have met with my coach and we have decided it is best for me not to compete in Fukuoka,” Sanchez told Tolentino. “This means I can be focused to medal in the Asian Games in September,” she added. Sanchez, however, said she would wait for the full confirmation from the World Aquatics regarding her eligibility to compete for the Philippines before she withdraws from the competition. She needed to complete a year’s residency in the country to complete her transfer following her decision to switch federations last year. “Before I withdraw from the competition I think we should wait until World Aquatics approves my transfer,” she said. “At least then we know that I am 100 percent cleared to race for the Philippines in the Asian Games.” Sanchez added she has an intense competition schedule even after the Asian Games, including another world championships and hopefully, the 2024 Paris Olympics. Born to Filipino parents, Sanchez has represented Canada including at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she bagged a silver medal with her teammates in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Tolentino said he trusts the decision of Sanchez and her coach, and is optimistic that she could deliver the medals in the Asian Games. “Kayla’s a veteran swimmer, even at only 22, and she and her coach know what’s best,” Tolentino said. The last time the country won a medal in the Asian Games was in 1982 in New Delhi, India courtesy of William Wilson, who pocketed the gold medal in the men’s 200m freestyle.