Manama: Swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido on Monday bagged the silver medal in the boys’ 100-meter butterfly event of the ongoing Asian Youth Games at the Khalifa Sports City pool in Bahrain. The 16-year-old Grade 10 student from La Salle Greenhills registered a personal best of 55.11 seconds to finish second behind Iran’s Mohammadmahdi Gholami, who won gold in 54.75. Hong Kong’s Lau Kin Hei James took the bronze with a time of 55.23.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ajido, a member of the FTW Royals Swim Club, had previously won the event at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac on February 28, 2024. Over at the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) Hall 3, weightlifter Alexsandra Ann Diaz of Mampang, Zamboanga City settled for the bronze medal after lifting 92kgs in the girls’ 48kg clean and jerk. Chinese Lan Xinyi lifted 93kgs on her second attempt to win the gold. “I’m happy because I did not expect to get a medal. My opponents are strong,” said Diaz, niece of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn.
The Philippines improved its medal haul to six gold, six silver, and seven bronze medals for eighth spot in the 45-nation meet. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Justin James Zampatti suffered a referee stopped contest at the 1:44 mark of the second round against Uzbekistan’s Diyorbek Murodilloev in the boys’ 75kg preliminaries at the EWB Hall 9, leaving Leo Mhar Lobrido as the last man standing for the Philippine boxing team. Lobrido, nephew of Olympians Isidro and Virgilio Vicera, will try to reach the gold medal round when he faces Uzbekistan’s Abdugani Yorkinjonov in the boys’ 46kg semifinals on Tuesday.
In volleyball, the Philippines will face powerhouse Thailand in the bronze medal match on Wednesday at the Isa Sports City Hall C. Alas Pilipinas lost to Iran, 28-26, 18-25, 19-25, 18-25, while Thailand bowed to Indonesia, 24-26, 25-27, 17-25, in the semifinal round Monday night. Thailand defeated the Philippines, 25-21, 25-18, 25-14, in the preliminary round.
In badminton at the Isa Sports City Hall D, Cris Ivan Dosano downed Bahrain’s Ali Alashoor, 21-5, 21-9, and Kazakhstan’s Mustafa Malikzhan, 21-9, 21-12, to reach the boys’ singles Round of 16. Ron Ezekiel Zacarias also advanced after beating Ibrahim Hamdi of Maldives, 21-8, 21-11, in the Round of 64. In the girls’ division, Eve Bejasa prevailed over Margaret Biswas of Bangladesh, 21-9, 21-4, and Mak Nitajulie of Cambodia, 21-6, 21-6, to reach the last 16. Cristel Fuentespina lost to Hong Kong’s Liu Hoi Kiu, 21-12, 21-15, in the Round of 32. John Lanuza and Rosheila Quierez were also eliminated in the mixed doubles event, falling to Indonesians Abdul Azib and Fiersha Shafa, 11-21, 15-21, in the Round of 32.
