Filipino-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez poses with Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez during her courtesy visit at the House of Representatives last September, 2022.
Kayla’s goal: Asian Games medal
FORGET the World Aquatics Championships scheduled July 14-30 in Fukuoka, Japan and concentrate on the 20th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sept. 23-Oct.8.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino lauded the decision of Filipino-Canadian Kayla Sanchez to skip the world championships next week and concentrate on her campaign in the Hangzhou Asian Games two months from now as a full-fledged Filipino athlete.
Tolentino said Sanchez, who captured a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle in the Tokyo Olympics and three gold medals in the world championships in Abu Dhabi in 2021 while swimming for Canada, made the decision upon consultation with her coach.
“I have met with my coach, and we have decided it is best for me not to compete in Fukuoka. This means I can be focused to medal in the Asian Games in September,” Tolentino quoted Sanchez as saying.
“I have a very intense competition schedule after Asian Games with another world championships and the Olympics,” added Sanchez, who decided to represent the country — instead of Canada — only last year.
Tolentino agreed with Sanchez and her coach’s decision.
“Kayla is s a veteran swimmer, who already won a silver in the Olympics. Even at only 22, she and her coach know what’s best,” said Tolentino.
However, Tolentino and Sanchez said they should wait for the full confirmation from World Aquatics on her eligibility to compete for the Philippines after having represented Canada earlier in her career.
“Before I withdraw from the competition I think we should wait until World Aquatics approves my transfer,” explained Sanchez, who wad born to Filipino parents in Singapore, but grew up in Toronto.
“At least then we know that I am 100 percent cleared to race for the Philippines in the Asian Games,” added Sanchez, who needed to complete a year’s residency in the country to complete her transfer.
A member of the Canadian team since 2017, Sanchez secured her release from Swimming Canada after the 2021 world championship.
Sanchez thanked Tolentino for facilitating her transfer.
“Thank you so much for helping me get the approval from World Aquatics,” she told Tolentino. “And I think this is the best decision for me right now and I will make it count next year.”
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