PALAWAN, Philippines – Swimmer TJ Amaro continues to outpace the competition.
In his swan song for Naga City, Amaro remains the standard in grassroots competitive swimming after breaking his previous best marks in the 50-meter and 100m freestyle of the boys 16-17 division of the 2024 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa City here.
The 17-year-old captured the 50m gold with a time of 24.32 seconds, a fraction of a second better than his previous record of 24.53 in 2023, and just 0.01 seconds quicker than Ryan Zach Danzel Belen of San Fernando, La Union.
Amaro also recorded 52.59 ticks to rule the 100m distance, better than the 53.29 mark he had last year.
“To maintain my physical and mental well-being, I train every day, and I rest since I need to recover both physically and mentally,” Amaro said.
“I’m very happy and at the same time proud to represent Naga City for the last time,” he added.
Just last July, Amaro — the most bemedaled athlete of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa — took home seven medals, resetting three new records in the process.
Former vice president Leni Robredo personally praised Amaro for his record-setting effort.
It will be the last time Amaro will be representing the province of Camarines Sur as he returns to represent Calabarzon in next year’s Palarong Pambansa as a Grade 12 student of San Beda-Rizal.
Meanwhile, Arvin Naeem Taguinota became a five-time gold medalist after lording over the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:04.30, on top of helping Pasig City finish the quickest in the 4x50m freestyle relay of the boys’ 12-13 action, along with Ricardo Delgado, Marcelino Picandal III, and Jefferson Saburlase.
“I’m happy with my performance overall, except for that lone silver, plus the fact that I set new personal bests in my respective events,” said Taguinota.
Sophia Rose Garra of Malabon also notched her fourth gold after being crowned the winner of the 100m backstroke with a 1:08.77 clocking in the girls’ 12-13 age group.
Over at the red-soiled cycling course, sisters Lexi and Aerice Dormitorio notched their second gold medals as the two topped their respective age brackets in the cross-country eliminator (XCE) category of mountain bike cycling.
Lexi led in the 16-17 XCE, while Aerice took home the top spot in the 12-13 age bracket.
Shyra Mae Rizalado of Davao City won another gold, this time in the 14-15 girls’ XCO.
According to the latest tally of organizer Philippine Sports Commission, Pasig City remains ahead with 41 golds, 24 silvers, and 44 bronze medals after Day 4.
Following Pasig is four-time defending champion Baguio with a 27-30-34 tally, though they are expected to trim the gap after the conclusion of combat sports.
Quezon City is a distant third with a 23-21-31 haul, Davao City at fourth with with 19-15-17, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna with 14-12-5.
The final day of the annual grassroots tournament will be on Thursday, November 28. – Rappler.com
