After bagging seven golds, Amaro eyes records sweep next year

Albert Jose “TJ’’ Amaro II has his sights locked on a future Olympics stint. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By the time the action culminates on Tuesday, it would be safe to assume that swimmer Albert Jose “TJ’’ Amaro II would pleasantly return home happiest from among the thousands of student-athletes who joined the Palarong Pambansa.

But to speculate that the 17-year-old from San Beda University-Rizal is fully satisfied with the seven gold medals around his neck would be a mistake.

Just ask the guy.

“Next year, my goal is to break all five individual records in the events that I’ve won here in the Palaro,’’ said Amaro after wiping out the Games’ standard clockings in the secondary boys’ 50-meter and 100-m butterfly apart from helping reset the record in the 4×100-m medley relay.

The Grade 11 tanker who swam for the Bicol region in the Palaro last year in Marikina likewise topped the 50 m, 100 m and 200-m freestyle and propelled Calabarzon to victory in the 4×400-m free relay.

Unparalleled

This unparalleled feat installed Amaro as the most bemedaled athlete of the weeklong meet in Cebu City, which showcased the finest student athletes in the elementary and secondary levels across the country.“The pressure was great but I was able to meet my target,’’ said Amaro, who hails from Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Amaro’s stunt, however, won’t be feasible without the guidance of his coach Dondon Roxas Jr., who molded him from an average competitor in the pool to the most praiseworthy one in these Games in just a year of training.

The seven mints was a far cry from the lone 50-m freestyle gold he acquired last year.

“We are merely here as guides to TJ and his teammates. I’m simply glad about his performance,’’ said Roxas, the coach of San Beda’s successful swimming program the past 24 years.Micaela Mojdeh came close to duplicating Amaro’s success with six golds but settled for a bronze medal in the 4×100-m freestyle relay.

“I want to swim in the Olympics someday. That would be great. But for now, breaking the records in five individual events next year remains a top priority,’’ said Amaro. INQ