By Edwin Rollon
Southeast Asian Games campaigner Graziella Sophia Ato and Rio Stephen Coliyat delivered dominant performances, capturing two gold medals each in the recently concluded Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Open Water Swimming Tryouts at Boracay New Coast in Malay, Aklan.
Their impressive victories earned them spots on the Philippine team that will compete in the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships set for August 21-23 at the same venue.
Ato, a 16-year-old standout from Raois, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, swept the girls’ division. The Grade 11 student of Great Heights Learning Center claimed gold in both the girls’ 16-17 5-kilometer race and the under-18 10-kilometer event.
Representing the One Ilocos Sur Team under the guidance of Olympian Ryan Arabejo, Ato dominated the grueling 10-kilometer race, clocking 2:24:56 to finish ahead of Stacey Arabelle Bee of Bacolod, who posted 2:27:59, and Jeda Lorrine Cruz of Ilustre East, who registered 2:35:27.513.
She followed up that performance by winning the 5-kilometer race in 1:09:41.835, narrowly edging Bee (1:09:49.944) and hometown swimmer Nuche Veronica Ibit (1:12:06.670).
Coliyat, another 16-year-old rising star from Batangas and a product of the Batang Pinoy program, also completed a golden double in the boys’ division. He captured the under-18 10-kilometer crown with a time of 2:16:15.000, holding off Jeanne Dominic Bongotan of Baguio (2:17:07.827) and Zyrhed Pajas of One Ilocos (2:22:57.508).
He then showcased his endurance and finishing kick in the boys’ 15-17 5-kilometer race, clocking 1:03:41.303 and pulling away in the final stretch to defeat Pajas (1:03:52.895) and Giro Don Rafael Gito of La Salle (1:04:21.967).
Other podium finishers in the competition included Anton Della of La Union, Marc Justin Yu of Negros, and Lyon Pascua of One Ilocos in the boys’ Under-20 10-kilometer event. In the men’s 20-and-over 10-kilometer category, Alexander Lawrence Yu of All Star, Joshua Delmo of Ayala Harpoon, and Paulo Miguel Labanon of Ayala secured podium finishes.
In the boys’ 14-15 5-kilometer class, Alfonso Joaquin DeMesa, Rie Mones, and Marcus Ubungen emerged as the top finishers, while Marc Justin Yu, Lyon Pascua, and Jan Pau Baulo topped the boys’ 18-19 division. Paolo Miguel Labanon, Reiniel Lagman, and Joshua Del Rio completed the podium in the men’s 20-and-over 5-kilometer event.
On the girls’ side, Makayla Fetalvero, Raziel Villas, and Maria Isabella Raagas finished among the medalists in the 14-15 5-kilometer category. Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig, Alexis Bailey Tan Uy, and Amanda Tongson likewise reached the podium in the women’s 20-and-over 5-kilometer division.
PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain congratulated all the medalists and qualifiers, emphasizing that continuous training will be crucial as the national team prepares for upcoming international competitions.
“We are proud of the performances of our swimmers, especially Graziella and Rio, who showed determination and consistency throughout the competition,” said Buhain. “This is only the beginning of our preparation for the Southeast Asian Open Water Championships. We will continue to provide the athletes with the support and training they need to compete at the highest level.”
Buhain also expressed gratitude to Speedo, the MVP Sports Foundation, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Local Government Unit of Malay, Aklan, led by Mayor Floribar Bautista, for their support in staging the successful event.
“We are grateful to our sponsors and to the local government of Malay for helping us host the event and the coming world-class open water competition in Boracay,” Buhain added. “Their support is vital in developing Philippine aquatics and giving our athletes the best possible environment to excel.”
