NEW CLARK CITY -- Jamesray Ajido delivered a sensational performance in the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships after bagging the host country's first-ever gold medal in the continental showpiece on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Aquatics Center here.

Ajido, who celebrated his 15th birthday last month, clocked 55.98 seconds to edge out Japan’s Yusel Nishiono (56.05sec) and Chinese Taipei’s Kan Yun-Cheng (56.79) in the 12-14 boys’ 100m butterfly event.

Ajido and Nishiono also broke the previous tournament record from Taiwan’s Wang Yu Xiang who registered 56.36 sec in the 2019 edition.

“Nabigla po ako ng first ako eh, sobrang thankful po ako and inaalay ko po itong panalo para kay kay Lord at sa family ko,” said Ajido, who pocketed bronze medal as well last Tuesday, Feb. 27.

In the girls side, Jasmine Mojdeh reaped a bronze medal as she timed 2 minutes and 21.87 seconds in the 15-17 girls’ 200m butterfly category, just behind of Hong Kong bets Yeung Hoi Ching (2:16.80) and Mok Sze Ki (2:17.00), who took gold and silver medals, respectively.

The Brent International School tanker admitted that she almost lost steam in the last 50 meters of the race but got enough boost from the support of the Filipino crowd.

“Parang mamamatay na talaga ako do’n sa last 50, pero no’ng narinig ko sila mas ginanahan po ako mag push further. I'm really proud na nauwi ko ‘yong bronze para sa Philippines,” the 17-year-old from Paranaque City said.

Ajido and Mojdeh were two of the most bemedalled athletes in the Batang Pinoy in previous years.

The national team is now in 12th place with one gold and three bronze medals in the tournament.

Japan remained on top in the medal tally with 32 gold, 18 silver and four bronze medals.