(UPDATE) BEHROUZ Elite Swimming Team (BEST) continued to make huge waves in the 2024 PAI National Age Group Championships by winning 13 more gold medals on the second day of the competition at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.
Mojdeh siblings Mikhael Jasper, Madi and Micaela Jasmine were the biggest winners of the day by winning gold medals in their respective events.
Mikhael Jasper — a Most Outstanding Swimmer awardee in Thailand last February — was unstoppable in Class A boys' 9-year, claiming gold medals in 50m butterfly (38.60), 100m freestyle (1:16.98) and 100m breaststroke (1:51.66).
Sharing the spotlight was Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque pride Madi who delivered two gold medals in the Class A boys' 13-year — 200m breaststroke (2:43.81) and 50m butterfly (29.80) — and one silver in 100m freestyle (1:02.26).
Water beast Micaela Jasmine, a Philippine national junior record holder, unleashed her fiery form in winning the Class A girls' 17-over 400m freestyle (4:39.93) and 200m breaststroke (2:46.31) gold medals.
She also secured a silver in 50m butterfly (29.27).
Besides the Mojdeh siblings, Yugo Cabana collected gold medals in Class A boys' 14-year 100m freestyle (57.54) and 50m butterfly (28.17), and silver in 50m backstroke (32.27).
Annika Quinto added one gold in 100m freestyle (1:06.24) and two silvers in 50m backstroke (35.63) and 50m butterfly (33.56) in the Class A girls' 13-year category.
Elisa De Kam copped one gold in 100m freestyle (1:10.68), one silver in 50m butterfly (34.32) and one bronze in 50m backstroke (36.53) in the Class B girls' 13-year.
Also earning medals was Clara Maligat who got a gold in 50m backstroke (37.36) and a bronze in 50m butterfly (33.56) in the Class B girls' 13-year as well as Winston Taggs — a gold medalist in the Class A boys' 12-year 200m breaststroke (3:05.00). The other medalists were Gabriel Dimandal (silver in Class C boys' 14-year 50m backstroke, 35.28) and Anisha Caluya (bronze in Class B girls' 17-over 400m freestyle, 5:13.52).
"We're happy that we are seeing the fruits of our labor. We would like to thank all our coaches and trainers for guiding these young swimmers. We are looking forward to win more," said BEST team manager Joan Mojdeh.
Overall, the BEST has already claimed 25 gold, 16 silver and five bronze medals after winning 12 golds, six silvers and two bronzes on the opening day.
The BEST coaching staff is composed of head coach Jeremiah Paez, assistant coach Emman Lafuente, consultant Sherwin Santiago, and strength and conditioning coach Jerricson Llanos.