NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines: Home bet Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh picked up a bronze medal in the 11th Asian Age Group Championships 200m butterfly event on Wednesday evening, February 28 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center here.

Mojdeh, a Brent International School student, started strong as she put herself in the mix for a podium finish, but she admitted that she was running out of air in the final 50 meters of the 15-17 age group tiff.

Thanks to the all out cheer of the home crowd, composed mainly of the Philippine swimming athletes and officials and even local media, the 17-year-old found second wind enroute to the bronze after covering the distance in 2:21.87.

"I felt like dying in the last 50 meters. I'm running out of gas but when I heard the home crowd cheer, it enabled me to push further. I'm really proud that I won a bronze for the Philippines," said Mojdeh.

"What gives me motivation is my supporters, my family, my teammates, my friends, everybody. I can see the whole Philippine swimming community really watching me, really cheering us on, so thanks so much to them."

Mojdeh, a Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy standout, finished behind Hong Kong swimmers Yeung Hoi Ching and Mok Sze Ki who clinched the gold and silver medals, respectively.

Yeung timed 2:16.80 while Mok registered 2:17.00.

The 200m butterfly event was Mojdeh's fifth event where she made the final, having reached the championship rounds of the 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100m medley relay, and 4x200m freestyle relay as well.

Mojdeh, a University of Southern California in Los Angeles commit from Brent International School, placed sixth in the 200m individual medley, 5th in the 400m individual medley, fourth in 4x100m medley relay, and fifth in 4x200m freestyle.

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