Jamesray Mishael Ajido's quest for the coveted most outstanding swimmer in his age class hit a slight hump as he faltered in his last event on Sunday, June 23, at the close of the 1st Philippine Aquatics, Inc (PAI) National Age Group Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.

Ajido, 15, an Asian junior record holder in the 12-14 category 100m butterfly (55.98), stamped his class in the boys 15 Class A 100-m backstroke and 50-m freestyle, clocking 1:02.44 and 24.87 seconds, respectively as he completed his ascendancy as MOS awardee in his class in the three-day tournament serving as the launching pad for PAI’s national ranking system and sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Speedo.

The veteran internationalist beat John Jeremy Villanueva of Pasig City Club (1:05.87) and Vince De Leon of Ilustre East (1:09.23) in the fly before downing his rivals Matt Nerison of Elizabeth Seton (26.32) and Elijah Ebayan of South Warriors (26.53) in freestyle duel.

On his third event in the 200m fly, the La Salle student finally felt the tightness on his right shoulder paving the way for Rodevic Gonzalvo of Green Blasters to steal the thunder from the top swimmer of FTW Royals clocking 2:12. 44. Ajido finished second at 2:19.03 while Ashton Clyde Jose took the bronze at 2:26.35.

“Hindi naman po matindi, may konting pain pero tolerable naman po, no excuses. Talagang mas malakas lang si Rodevic sa turn hindi ko na kinayang abutan,” said Ajido, still recuperating from a shoulder injury he sustained during the ASEAN Schools tryouts last night.

Still, he claimed the MOS plaque with six gold and one silver medal. He dominated the  50-m backstroke (28.50), 100-m freestyle (53.97), 100-m butterfly (56.23), and 200-m freestyle (2:00.42).

Likewise, Mojdeh brothers Behrouz Mohammad and Mikhael Jasper claimed their respective MOS awards, claiming two gold medals each, overshadowing the performance of their elite older sister Michaela Jasmine in the tournament serving as a prelude for the National tryouts next month.

Mohammad 13, a Grade 7 student at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College of Paranaque added the boys 13 Class A 100m back (1:11.63) and 200-m fly on his gold medal collection, while the younger Mickael took the gold in the boys 9 Class A 100-m back (1;23.90) and 50-, free (35.31).

 Behrouz Mohammad also claimed 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 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) as thy help Behrouz Elite squad in the team championship.

Also, making strong final-day performances are Pia Severina Magat of Sharkpeedo, Nicola Diamante of RSS Dolphins,  Miska Sy, Elisa Janna de Kam, Kyla Bulaga, Ezra Avery Advincula. Clinton Hu, and Camille Buico.

Magat, the 7-year-old wonder claimed the gold in 50-m free (55.79), Sy topped the girls 17-over 100m back (1:07.77), Diamante won the 100m back  13 Class A (1:13.74), De Kam in Class B (1:20.45), Advincula in the 8 Class A 100m back (2:08.43),  Buico in 17-over 200-m fly (2:25.98), Bulaga in 14 Class A 300m fly (2:30.80) and Hu, the youngest participant at 5-year old in the 50-m freestyle (1:20.41).