NICOLA QUEEN DIAMENTE showed she’s a gem worth polishing after scooping six gold medals—just one short of a sweep of her events—in the girls’ side of the First Novice Swim Championship organized by the Congress of Philippine Aquatics Inc. (COPA) on a stormy Sunday at the Teofilo Ildefonso Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Diamente almost scored a sweep in the event that, with some luck, wrapped up its competitions just after lunch time when Typhoon Karding’s signal was raised to No. 4 in Metro Manila and No. 5 elsewhere in the country.
Diamante, a member of the RSS Dolphines Swim Team, glittered in the 11-year-old category’s Class A 25-meter freestyle with a time of 14.30 seconds, butterfly (14.80), backstroke (16.30), breaststroke (21.40), 50-meter freestyle (30.40) and 100-meter Individual medley (1:29.40).
Diamante only missed the 100-meter freestyle gold with a clocking of 1:09.10, second to Alex Pasia of Sharknado Swimming Team who timed 45.80 seconds.
“I’m so happy with my accomplishments and I thank the COPA because they’re making it possible for us to compete,” Diamante said. “The typhoon bothered me, and perhaps, the next time I can improve further.”
Diamante was already a rising star when won four gold medals and was named the most prolific swimmer in last month’s COPA Reunion tournament organized by Olympian swimmer and former Southeast Asian Games champion now Batangas First District Rep. Eric Buhain and supported by Speedo.
Technical director Richard Luna said they were relieved to complete the competitions before Typhoon Karding could show its wrath.
COPA Board member Chito Rivera said the group expects a huge participation from public school student in COPA’s Reunion third leg on October 22 and 23, Sprint Meet introduction the SKINS Swim event on November 12 and 13 and Short Course Yuletide Swimming Championship on December 10 and 11.
The other winners were: 14 years old 25-meter freestyle Chloe Phoemela Constantino (Class C, 15.70 seconds) and Alexandra Pascua (Class N, 18.10); 15-above 25-meter freestyle Mary Christine Llorente (Class A, 13.95), Katreena Via Duque (Class C, 14.50) and Faith Real (Class N, 17.20); eight years old 50-meter freestyle: Isebelle Ramirez (Class A, 44.90) and Eunice Jacinto (Class N, 55.60); nine years 50-meter freestyle: Alandria Delantar (Class A, 36.20), Alexndra Cai (Class C, 47.40) and Rafaella Decano and Shane Salvador (Class N, 49.50); 10 years old 50-meter freestyle: Allianah Soriano (Class A, 35.80), Ianne Zafra (class C, 45.50), Kate Lopez (Class N. 48.70); and 11 years old 50-meter freestyle: Alex Pacia (Class C, 42.30) and Simone Llanto Class N, 45.05).
Also in the honor roll were—6-under 25-meter breaststroke: Natalie Noa De Vega (1:00.80); 7-years old breast: Samantha Mendoza (Class A, 28.30) and Miesha Icban (Class N, 35.40); eight years old breastroke: Isebella Ramirez (Class C, 29.40) and Jann Mendoza (Class N, 31.70); nine years old breastroke: Alandria Delanter (Class A, 21.90), Shane Salvador (class C, 27.90) and Alexndra Cai (class N, 29.40); girls’ 13 years old backstroke: Jamela Manocan (Class A, 17.50), Ilaire Libat (class C, 18.00) anf Ashley Marquez (Class N, 21.00); 14 years old backstoke: Chloee Constantino (Class C, 18.60) and Mishka Merla (class N, 20.70); 15-above backstroke: Katreena Via Duque (Class C, 16.70) and Patricia De Chavez (Class N, 18.70); 10 years old 25-meter butterfly: Andrea Jimenez (30.30); and 12-years old 25-meter butterfly: Kisses Libat (Class A, 15.60), Annika Padron (Class C, 20.20) and Richeane Samson (Class N, 24.50).