CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Eight-year-old Carl Fredrick Quizon of St. Mary’s School won three medals at the division swimming meet, qualifying for the Regional Elementary Boys Division and setting his sights on Batang Pinoy.
The Grade 3 swimmer competed against older athletes during the Oct. 17–18 meet at Kagay-an Lawndale Spring Resort in Taguanao, Barangay Indahag.
Quizon won silver in the 100-meter butterfly and bronze medals in the 200-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly.
In the 200-meter freestyle, he finished behind Grade 6 swimmers Ronnie Luis Garcia of North I-District and Dane Gabriel Clarito of South District.
Quizon said he initially felt nervous competing against older swimmers, particularly in the 200-meter freestyle, but relied on his training to finish the races.
“I believe that age doesn't stop me from trying my best,” he said. “I wanted to challenge myself, gain experience, and make my school and team proud.”
He described the final 25 meters of the 100-meter butterfly as his toughest stretch because his arms and legs were already tired.
“But I told myself not to give up and to keep going until I reached the finish,” he said.
Coach Erickson Jadap said the focus was on preparation, race execution and improvement rather than putting pressure on the young swimmer to win every event.
“We focus on effort, improvement, and learning from every race,” Jadap said.
As Quizon prepares for the regional meet and hopes to compete at Batang Pinoy, Jadap said his training will balance practice with proper nutrition, sleep and recovery.
At eight, Quizon still has room to develop his technique, endurance, turns and finishes, the coach said.
Quizon said he wants to improve his butterfly stroke and continue making his family, school and team proud.
“My goal is not just to win medals, but also to improve myself,” he said.
