National swimming selection meet kicks off Friday

New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Slots in the national team are at stake as Philippine Swimming’s National Selection bubble begins on Friday at New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Philippine swimmers vie for a spot in the national team with the tryouts set to take place at the same venue of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“We hope that the event can show to the youth that we can rise again and recover from this pandemic. We hope to encourage current swimmers to train even more to reach their dreams,” said PSI President Lani Velasco.

“And what better dream than to have a chance to represent the country, and bring pride and honor to the flag.”

Swimming’s international governing body Federation International de Natation will sanction the selections thus allowing swimmers to gain FINA points and also a crack at the time standards to qualify for the 2021 World Swimming (25m) Championships in December and also for the 2022 World Aquatics Championships.

A total of 71 swimmers are set to compete in the three-day event.

Three-time UAAP MVP Chloe Daos of Ateneo and national record holder Joy Rodgers of University of the Philippines headline the women’s field.

Sacho Ilustre, the UAAP Season 82 MVP from De La Salle, Ianiko Limfilipino, and Miguel Barreto are the big names in the men’s division.

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