The country’s most decorated junior swimmers continued to rise against the challenge even as new swimming stars emerged at the podium on Saturday, June 22, in the penultimate day of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Age Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the famed Rizal Memorial Sports Center (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.

Veteran internationalists Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh shone brightest among their fellow National Team members winning two gold medals in their respective classes, but the day also belonged to upcoming Pia Severina Magat, Pia Ato, Nicola Diamante, and Jasmine’s younger brothers Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper Mojdeh.

The 15-year-old Ajido, holder of Asian junior record in boys 12-14 100m butterfly (55.98), splashed his way in winning his fourth gold medal topping the boys 15 Class A 50-m backstroke (28.50), 100-m freestyle (53.97) and 100-m butterfly. He won his first gold in the 200-m freestyle (2:00.42) on the opening day Friday of the three-day tourney backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Speedo.

He beat Elijah Ebayan of South Warriors (30.24) and John Jeremy Villanueva of Pasig (30.42) before thumping his class against Matt Aaaron of Elizabeth Seton (58.02) and Rodevic Gonzalvo of Green Blasters (58.32). In butterfly, he beat Rodevic Gonzalvo (1:00.12) and Elijah Ebayen (1:01.77).

“Maganda na po yung pakiramdam ko, hopefully po, mas heal na po yung balikat ko before the National tryouts in August,” said the multi-titled international referring to the injury in his left shoulder he sustained during the ASEAN School tryouts last month.

Dubbed ‘The Water Beast’, Mojdeh, the two-time World Junior Championship campaigner, topped the girls' 17-over Class A 100-m breaststroke clocking 1:16.62 against Dee Vianne Catedrilla of Nautilus (1:20.73) and Gerice Oyaman of FTW Royals (1:21.64). She finished second to Camille Buico (29.01) in the 50-m butterfly (29.27).

His youngest brothers and teammates at the BEST Elite make their mark with Behrouz Mohammad claiming the gold in the boys 13 Class A 100-m backstroke (1;16.49), 100-m fly (1:05.41), and 400-m Individual Medley, while the 9-year old Mikhael Jasper topped the boys 9 Class B 50-m breast (51.45), 100-, fly (1:34.70), 50-m fly (38.60), 100-m free (1:16.94) and 200-m free (2:45.76).

Magat, the 7-year-old wonder from Sharkpeedo Swim, likewise won the 100-m freestyle (2:08.42) and 50-, breast (1:08.28), while Pia Ato delivered in the girls 14 Class B 100-m free (1:09.49) and 400-Im (6:02.10), while Diamante topped the girls 13Class A 50-m back (32.79).

Other Day 2 winners are Arianne Lim in girls 11 Class A 50-m back (38.28), Sophia Rose Garra 12 Class A 50m back (32.69), Elizabeth Requuioma 15 Class A 100-m fly (1:09.51), Savinahh Oliveros 16 100-m fly (1:09.40), Kyla Louise Bulaga 14 Class A 100-m fly (1:07.69).