MANILA — Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) announced on Thursday the selection of 44 swimmers, comprising 22 boys and 22 girls, to represent the country at the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships. The event is scheduled from February 26 to March 9 at the New Clark City (NCC) Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eric Buhain, the athletes were chosen based on their World Aquatics qualifying points during the national tryouts last October. The championships, which are expected to draw around 1,400 swimmers, were initially planned for this month. Leading the Philippine team are 2023 Fukuoka World Championships veteran Xandi Chua and 2022 Vietnam SEA Games gold medalist Chloe Isleta. The tournament will also feature notable participants like Thanya Dela Cruz, Erin Castrillo, Alyssa Ng, and Quendy Fernandez, among others. The event is seen as a critical platform for Olympic qualification and a showcase of Asia's top aquatic talent.