MANILA – After capturing a silver medal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Negrense swimmer Alexi Cabayaran is hoping to win a gold in her next participation in the BiFin event of Southeast Asian Games.
According to the Silay City, Negros Occidental-native swimmer, she was surprised and delighted to have capture a silver medal in the 200 women BiFin breaststroke event of 32nd SEA Games.
“Sinunod ko lang po yung payo ng coach ko sa swimming club namin na mag-try ako sa BiFin. Nasopresa po ako ng mapasama ako sa Team,” the Trinity Christian School standout said.
“During training sabi ko sa sarili ko pagbubutihan ko para sa parents ko, maka-bronze lang ako masaya na ako. Kaya nang manalo ako ng silver naiyak po ako sa tuwa,” she added.
The 15-year-old Cabayaran is one of hundred young swimmers who participated in the Visayas tryouts organized by Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) last February in Bacolod City.
Cabayaran captured the SEA Games silver in the 200 women BiFin breaststroke after clocking one minute and 56.49 seconds behind gold medal winner Cambodian Muyni Kaing (1:51.69).
“Mas gagalingan ko po sa training para sa mga susunod na international tournament maka-medalya ako uli. Sa susunod na SEA Games gold medal po ang tatargetin ko,” said Cabayaran.
COPA president Eric Buhain, for his part, said that the recent success of Cabayaran proved it deserves full support from both the private and public sectors to further boosts its development program, particularly in the grassroots level.
“Itong pagkapanalo ni Alexi ng silver medal ay malaking bagay sa sports. Hopefully, ma-encourage niya ang iba pa na subukan ang BiFin swimming,” said Buhain, a two-time swimming Olympian.
“Like classical, maraming medals at stake dito. Isipin natin sa Cambodia 27 yung events, eh kung nakapaghanda na tayo ng matagal mas marami tayong naipadalang athletes, baka mas maraming medalya tayong naiuwi,” he added.
Aside from Cabayaran, other members of the Philippine BiFin team are Renz Santos, Janine De La Paz, Raymund Paloma, Raina Leyran, Kristoff David, Ishaelle Villa and Troy Castor./PN
