Mojdeh caims gold in SEA Games qualifiers

World Junior Championships semifinalist Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh of Behrouz Elite Swimming Team-Philippines (BEST-PH) unleashed her water beast mode by claiming gold in the women’s 200m individual medley in the 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games – National Swimming Qualifying being held at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The 16-year-old Brent International School standout dominated the event in two minutes and 27.44 seconds, outclassing former Palarong Pambansa multi-gold medalist Regina Erin Castrillo, who settled for silver (2:28.75).

Shairrine Floriano pocketed the bronze (2:33.48).

Fellow World Junior Championships veteran Heather White also sizzled in the opening day with a gold-medal performance in the women’s 50m freestyle event.

White registered 26.78 seconds to beat veteran Camille Buico (26.98) and Trixie Ortiguera (27.81).

In the men’s division, Ruben White checked in at 23.87 seconds to claim the bronze in 50m freestyle topped by Jarod Jason Hatch (23.59).

National mainstay Rafael Bareto wound up second with a time of 23.82 seconds.

The tournment organized by the Stabilization Committee set by thw World Aquatics, serves as a qualifying event to select swimmers for the 32nd SEA Games to be held in May in Cambodia.