ISANG ginto lamang ang nakataya sa Open swimming event ng 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Tunay na mabigat ang laban, ngunit para kay swimmer Ron Jairus Villamor at coach Betsy Medalla, sapat na sa kanila na mapanood ng sambayanan at maiukit sa kaisipan ng Pinoy na nararapat suportahan ang sports na malaki ang tsansa para sa Pinoy sa international competition – kabilang ang Olympics.
“I really believe the Filipinos can excel in open water swimming. We have the endurance and the skills to be really good long-distance swimmers. Nandun yung puso," pahayag ni Medalla sa kanyang pagbisita sa 49th ‘Usapang Sports’ ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) nitong Huwebes sa National Press Club sa Intramuros.
'Pikon daw?' UAAP fan na nag-dirty finger, agaw-eksena sa San Juan Arena!
Malayo sa kamalayan ng sambayanan, si Medalla, isang veteran open water swimmer, ay nakagawa ng kasaysayan bilang unang Asian na nakatawid karagatan ng South Africa noong 2014.
Kumpiyansa siya na may paglalagyan ang Pinoy sa SEA Games at ang dalawang pambato na sina Villamor at Davao-based Joboy Gonzales, ay makapag-aambag ng karangalan sa bansa.
"It will really be a big boost to our sport if either Ron or Joboy can win the SEAG gold medal If we're lucky enough, we can even ginish 1-2 in the competition," sambit ni Medalla.
Aniya, malaki ang ipinagiba ng open swimming sa regular swimming competitions.
“Open water swimming is very different from swimming pool competitions. In terms of preparations, mas matagal, mas mahirap ang open water swimming. We have to swim in the open water at least once a week para hindi mawala yun feel for the water. They have to be naturally long-distance swimmers."
“We should really have an open water swimming community because our race courses in the country are so much better. So we created open water challenges for our swimmer to develop their talents,” ayon kay Medalla.
Ikinasiya nina Medalla at Villamor ang pagkakasama ng open swimming sa SEAG matapos ayudahan ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), sa pamumuno ni Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC),at Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI).
“Napansin ko nun una wala tayong representative sa SEA Games. Ron is the most experienced open water swimmer right now, so I recommended him to the PSI. He is regularly training and a consistent podium finisher in our open water competitions, " pahayag ni Medalla.
