Swimmer Kayla Sanchez aims to inspire the young

Kayla Noelle Sanchez, here working out with the Philippine team, could be an international medal machine for the country. —JUNE NAVARRO

Swimmer Kayla Noelle Sanchez has returned to her roots not just to win medals for Team Philippines.

The Olympic medalist is home and will do her share in energizing the country’s large swimming population and motivate the young ones to excel.

“If I’m able to inspire young kids, just to start swimming, it would mean the world to me and will give actual meaning to what I do,’’ said Sanchez, projected as the next big phenomenon for Philippine swimming.

The 21-year-old Sanchez, who secured a silver and one bronze as part of Canada’s relay team during last year’s Tokyo Olympics, will grace a meet in Mindanao where hundreds of children are set to compete.

The Philippine Swimming Inc. has organized a grand prix leg this weekend in Digos City, Davao del Sur, where Sanchez will hold a clinic for young swimmers and hopefully start their path toward national team stints.

First tour for PH

“I’m excited with this new journey. I’m confident in what I can do and I want to bring it up here and do it for a bigger purpose than just winning medals,’’ said Sanchez, a multiple medalist in the world championships.

She seized two silver medals in the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle and mixed 4x100m freestyle relays and a pair of bronzes in the 4x200m free and 4x 100m medley relays during the Fina World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, early this year.

Sanchez can kick off her stint with the Philippine Team in the Fina worlds next year in Fukuoka, Japan, after she goes through a 12-month residency since shifting her allegiance to the Philippines in July.

For Paris 2024, Sanchez needs to satisfy a three-year residency that can be cut by the Fina, the International Olympic Committee and the Philippine Olympic Committee. INQ