Vietnam left no doubt about its regional dominance in open water swimming, sweeping the mixed relay golds Saturday, August 22, while the Philippines’ young tankers finished last in both divisions of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships.

The gap was stark at Boracay Newcoast, where the host nation’s swimmers are still adjusting to the demands of long-distance open water racing. Vietnam’s dominance stood in sharp contrast to a Philippine squad still finding its footing on the international stage.

Vietnam Sweeps Golds in Lopsided Relay Showdown

Ngoc Vin Dho, Kha Ni Nguyen, Tu Uyen Le Huynh, and Van Dung Cao combined for one hour, 15 minutes and 43 seconds to win the 14-18 age group. Thailand took silver in 1:16.50, while Singapore claimed bronze in 1:20.33.

In the 20-and-above division, Vin Thabao Nguyen, Thi Bac Ngoc Vo, Thi Thuy An Pan, and Gu Phuc Tran clocked 1:13.20 for gold. Thailand again finished second in 1:16.45, with Indonesia taking bronze in 1:20.21.

The results extended Vietnam’s reputation as the region’s premier open water program. Both Filipino quartets, meanwhile, settled for fourth in their respective divisions.

PH Debutants Struggle to Keep Pace With Region’s Best

In the 14-18 bracket, Alexander Chu, Nuchs Veronica Ibit, Graziella Sophia Ato, and Anton Paulo Dominick Della finished in 1:22.34. The older Philippine quartet of Zhyhed Pheonix Pajas, Makayla Bettina Fetalvero, Stacey Arabelle Bee, and Rio Stephen Coliyay posted the exact same time.

Della, anchoring the younger team, said he tried to close the gap but couldn’t catch the Singaporean swimmer ahead of him. “Perhaps if we had more time to train together we could have performed better,” said Della, the most decorated high school swimmer with four golds from the last Palarong Pambansa.

Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain framed the results as part of a longer development process. “We are sowing seeds for the future with these young swimmers, an investment in open water swimming that will pay off in the long run,” he said.

Buhain added that the program is aiming to close the gap with the region’s stronger swimming nations. “Given time, we aim to be at par if not better than our Southeast Asian neighbors,” he said.

Not all the news was bleak for the host country. Bella Aaliya Pano led a 1-2-3 Philippine finish in the girls’ 16-17 3K festival event, while 85-year-old Vernan Certeza of Jaro, Iloilo, drew attention by completing the men’s 3K festival race in just under 90 minutes.