CAGAYAN de Oro City — Three young swimmers from General Santos City made a strong mark on the international stage, bringing home 11 medals from the 3rd Asian Open Schools Invitational Short Course Swimming Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Competing for Maharlika Aquatics and the Gensan Grassroots Aqua Rockets Swimming Club, the swimmers represented the Philippines against young competitors from other countries at the Assumption University Aquatic Center on August 29–30.
Leading the medal haul was 6-year-old Elyannah Marinelli, who won six gold medals in the girls’ 6-year-old division.
Marinelli was also named Most Outstanding Swimmer after setting tournament records in the 25-meter and 50-meter breaststroke events.
Seven-year-old Lucas Elcid Alconera, a student of General Santos City SPED Integrated School, added four medals in the boys’ 7-year-old division — two golds, one silver and one bronze.
His 12-year-old brother, Bruce Lucho Alconera, completed the contingent's medal tally with a bronze in the boys’ 12-year-old category.
The three swimmers finished with eight gold, one silver and two bronze medals, giving their clubs a strong showing in the international youth competition.
Their performance also puts a spotlight on the potential of young swimmers from General Santos City and the role of grassroots training in giving Mindanao athletes opportunities to compete beyond the Philippines.
