PH Tankers off to sluggish start in Asian Games 2023

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Three Filipino swimmers failed to advance in their respective individual events on Sunday, September 24, in Day 1 of the swimming competitions of the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Aquatics Center.

Jarold Hatch placed 5th in Heat 5 of the men’s 100m freestyle event in 50.90 seconds, Jerald Jacinto finished 6th in Heat 4 with a time of 57.57 seconds, while Thanya Dela Cruz also placed fifth in her heat in the women’s 50m breaststroke in 32.06 seconds.

Swimmer Xiandi Chua of the Philippines [photo credit: PSC-POC]

The quartet of Jasmine Alkhaldi, Xiandi Chua, Tiea Salvino, and Chloe Isleta meantime, will race Sunday night in the finals of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay after submitting a qualifying time of 3:48.06 seconds, good for fifth place in the heats topped by host China.

The Philippines will resume its bid in the swimming competitions on Monday with Tokyo Olympic medalist Kayla Nicole Sanchez plunging into action in the women’s 50m backstroke.

Jacinto will return to the pool and compete in the men’s 50m backstroke, Salvino in the women’s 50m back and 200 freestyle, Hatch in the men’s 50m freestyle, Chua in the women’s 200 individual medley and Isleta competing in the women’s 200m Individual medley.

The country is hoping to end a 25-year Asian Games medal drought in swimming.