Paris Olympics-bound Kayla Sanchez (middle) with her teammates in University of British Columbia.
Kayla Sanchez Instagram
Paris-bound Sanchez joins Canada college
PARIS Olympics-bound Kayla Sanchez will swim for University of British Columbia in college.
Sanchez, who was born to Filipino parents in Singapore before moving to Ontario, Canada, was a part of the Canadian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that struck silver at Tokyo Games three years ago.
“It’s finally time. Officially a University of British Columbia student athlete!!! I am so thrilled to finally pursue my degree,” Sanchez posted on her Instagram account yesterday.
The 23-year-old Sanchez will join the Thunderbirds swimming team that ruled the 2023-24 Canada West Women’s Swimming Championship late last year.
Aside from being 33-time Canada West Champions, UBC has won 24 USport National Championships and Sanchez is looking forward to being part of one of Canada’s most successful collegiate swimming programs.
Sanchez, who switched nationality from Canada only two years ago, will swim for the Philippines in the women’s 100 meters freestyle in Paris.
Even before she made it official, Sanchez had her debut with the Thunderbirds so special by winning gold medals in the 50m, 100m free and 400m medley relay in the recent 59th Annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet in Vancouver.
“My first race with the Thunderbirds was a relay, so I think that was really special,” said Sanchez. “I think we did really well. It was just cool to move around the meet as a Thunderbird, with the Thunderbirds and I’m honored to be on this team.”
In her pet event 100m free, Sanchez finished with a time of 54.25 seconds and topped 50m frees with a new meet record of 25.28.
With the Olympics just around the corner, UBC coach Derrick Schoof is looking forward to seeing Sanchez compete against the world’s best.
“We have three Thunderbirds, including Kayla representing the Philippines, heading to the Olympics,” said Schoof in an interview with the school’s athletics website.
“As a swim team, we are one hundred percent behind these athletes. We’re thrilled to see how well they’re going to do in Paris.”
