BEST pockets 38 golds, 4 MOS awards in PAI swimfest

The Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) swimmers pose for a photo with veteran coach Sherwyn Santiago CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) wrapped up its campaign with a total medal haul of 38 golds, 23 silvers and 10 bronzes in the 2024 PAI National Age Group Championships held at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.

BEST secured 25 medals including 13 golds on the final day of the competition to complete its dominating campaign in the three-day meet organized by the Philippine Aquatics Inc.

Four BEST swimmers bagged the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) awards led by promising tanker Mikhael Jasper Mojdeh who swept all his 10 events in Class A boys' 9-year division.

Mikhael Jasper reigned supreme in 50m butterfly (38.60), 100m freestyle (1:16.98), 100m breaststroke (1:51.66), 200m freestyle (2:45.76), 100m butterfly (1:34.70), 50m backstroke (39.94), 100m breaststroke (1:51.00), 200m IM (3:09.00), 50m freestyle (35.11) and 100m backstroke (1:23.90).

"I would like to thank first my parents for supporting me and also to our coaches for sharing their knowledge to young swimmers like me. It's just the beginning and I'm looking forward to win more in the coming competitions," said Mikhael Jasper, an MOS awardee in Thailand swimming meet last February.

Also earning MOS awards were Madi Mojdeh in Class A boys' 13-year, Elisa De Kam in Class A girls' 13-year and Yugo Cabana in Class A boys' 14-year.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Paranaque pride Madi captured nine golds and two zilvers while De Kam earned four golds, five silvers and two bronzes.

Cabana got six golds, two silvers and one bronze medal to secure the MOS plum.

World Junior Championships veteran and Philippine national junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh also contributed to the team's medal haul, winning four golds and four silvers.

The other medalists are Annika Quinto (2 golds, 5 silvers and 1 bronze), Clara Maligat (1 gold, 3 silvers and 1 bronze), Winston Taggs (1 gold and 1 bronze) and Gabriel Dimandal (2 silvers and 1 bronze).

"Another great campaign for these young swimmers. We are so grateful to our coaches for always guiding these kids and for motivating them to be the best," said BEST team manager Joan Mojdeh.

The BEST team is handled by head coach Jeremiah Paez, assistant coach Emman Lafuente, consultant Sherwyn Santiago and strength and conditioning coach Jerricson Llanos. TMT