PH swimmers bag 2 bronzes on SEA Open Water finale

Swimmers in action during the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships in Boracay. – PAI/Pet Salvador via PSC

MANILA, Philippines–Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig surprised herself with a bronze medal in her international debut at the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships on Sunday at Boracay Newcoast.

The 20-year-old La Salle varsity swimmer clocked 1 hour, 18 minutes and 57 seconds to finish third in the women’s 20-and-above division.

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Indonesia’s Nadya Sirasawati won gold in 1:07.23, while Thailand’s Musikul Hirunhas took silver in 1:09.15.

“Honestly, I just wanted to experience competing at the international level, so to win a bronze medal for my efforts, and in front of a hometown crowd at that, is a pleasant surprise,” Talosig said.

“This is a truly nice feeling,” added Talosig, who won a gold in the women’s 800-meter freestyle and two bronzes in the last UAAP Season 88 swimming meet.

Julia Jewels Pobleto also won bronze in the girls’ 12-13 3K event after clocking 50:40.

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Thailand’s Kanchana Konsub won gold in 47:16, while compatriot Aliyah Sawangmun took silver in 49:48.

Alfonso Joaquin de Mesa narrowly missed the podium after finishing fourth in the boys’ 14-15 division in 1:04.57.

Thailand’s Kantapong Polyiem took bronze in 1:02.55, while Vietnam’s Vin Thai Bao Nguyen won gold in 57:44 and Thailand’s Sakdichot Talawong settled for silver in 59:42.

The three-day championships were organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Aquatics Inc. and sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation.