Mojdeh siblings bag golds in Batang Pinoy

MOJDEH siblings Micaela Jasmine and Behrouz Mohammad of Parañaque City splashed medals in the 2023 Batang Pinoy National Finals swimming competition.

As expected, the 17-year-old Jasmine, a Brent International School standout, dominated the field as she won five gold medals as of press time on Thursday, December 21.

Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (left) and Behrouz Mohammad Mojdeh. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

Jasmine picked up her fifth gold on Thursday after ruling the girls’ 16-17 200-meter (m) butterfly category with a time of 2:21.48, way ahead of silver medalist Rio Balbuena and bronze winner Renavive Subida.

Balbuena finished the distance in 2:29.42 while Subida touched the finish line in 2:31.31 at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

“I am glad to be able to survive my 200 fly. It was nice to see a lot of upcoming swimmers from around the country and see them all here in Batang Pinoy,” said Jasmine, who is set to take her talents to the US-NCAA with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

“This is my last year to join this event. And I am thankful for the experience to be part of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) grassroots program. I know a lot of our Filipino Olympians were products of this event. Looking forward to a new chapter in my swimming as I shift my focus in hopes of making it to the Sea Games National Team in 2025. This program has taught me a lot during my formative years in swimming.”

Jasmine, also a Palarong Pambansa ace, previously ruled the 400-m individual medley (IM), 200-m IM and 50-m butterfly events while also being part of the champion 4×50-m medley relay team.

While Jasmine asserted her dominance in her final year in the competition, the newbie and 12-year-old Behrouz Mohammad, on the other hand, showed potential that he could be as good as her “ate” (older sister) someday.

Behrouz collected one gold medal and two silvers at press time.

He topped the boys’ 12 and under 200-m butterfly event with a time of 2:30.09, while finishing second place in the 200-m backstroke and 100-m breaststroke with clockings of 2:34.05 and 1:20.31, respectively.

“I was happy I got my personal best times in all my events so far. Our age group is very competitive, so I am happy to win medals in my events,” said Behrouz.

“Thanks to my coaches and to team Parañaque for the support they gave me and also to my parents. And to my sister for inspiring me to be a better swimmer.”

Ormoc City’s Coby Rivilla, a member of Philippines-BEST, pocketed a silver in the boys’ 200-m butterfly.

Meanwhile, Geof Liberato bagged a silver in the men’s 100-m breaststroke in Philippine National Games.