ATHLETICS

Xavier Grade Schooler Makes A Splash In Hong Kong Swim Meet

Posted Thursday, 15-Jun-2006 9:36 AM   

     Jose Alfonso Bautista of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA)
Stingrays emerged as the Most Outstanding Swimmer for the 8 years old and under age class at the 30th Mantas Invitational Swim Meet held last May 13 and 14 at the Shing Mun Valley Swimming Complex in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

     The annual swimming competition invites swimming clubs from all over the Southeast Asian region as well as Commonwealth countries like the United Kingdom, and Singapore and is organized by the Mantas Swimming Club based in Hong Kong.

      The said organization was established by Captain Harry Wright (UK) to provide young Hong Kong swimmers with opportunities to compete against other elite swimmers on a regional basis.

      Master Alfonso won in the 50 and 100 meter free style, the 50 and 100 meter breast stroke and the 50 meter back stroke and butterfly events for a total of 6 gold medals.  His lone silver medal came from the 100 meter back stroke.  He was the most bemedalled in his age group, besting swimmers from Thailand, the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Australia, Wales, Vietnam, Taipei and Singapore, among others.

      The eight-year old third grade student from Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila was among the  bright spots for the Philippine delegation that also included representatives from the Celebrity Anacondas and the Pacific Blue Marlins. Seasoned observers and sportswriters opined that Bautista has the potential to be a world-class athlete and Olympian.

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