SEAG: 10-km open water swimmer Villamor at Joboy, totodo sa gold

Isang gold medal lang ang nakataya sa open water swimming sa nalalapit na 30th Southeast Asian Games. Pero para kay national team coach Betsy Medalla tiyak na ang pagwawagi sa gold medal ng ating pambatong 17-anyos na tubong Batangas at mag-aaral ng Dela Salle-Lipa na si Ron Jairus Villamor. “I really believe the Filipinos can excel in open water swimming. We have the endurance and the skills to be really good long-distance swimmers. Nandun yung puso,” ayon kay Medalla nang humarap sa sportswriters sa 49th “Usapang Sports” ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) sa National Press Club sa Intramuros noong Nob. 21.

Si Medalla na dating open water swimmer ang unang nakagawa sa kasaysayan ng Asya nang languyin niya ang baybayin ng South Africa noong 2014 na ngayon ay naniniwala na ang dalawang pambato ng Pilipinas sa event na sina Villamor at Joboy Gonzales ng Davao ay may kakayahan bilang mga open water swimmers. “It will really be a big boost to our sport if either Ron or Joboy can win the SEAG gold medal If we’re lucky enough, we can even finish 1-2 in the competition,” ayon kay Medalla at idinagdag na ang bawat bansa ay may pinapayagan lang na dalawang entries. Nang tanungin siya kung ano ang kaibhan ng open water swimming at regular swimming competitions. “Open water swimming is very different from swimming pool competitions. In terms of preparations, mas matagal, mas mahirap ang open water swimming. We have to swim in the open water at least once a week para hindi mawala ‘yun feel for the water. They have to be naturally long-distance swimmers.”

Ikinagalak din ni Medalla ang pagsama ng open water swimming sa SEAG calendar. “Napansin ko nu’ng una wala tayong representative sa SEA Games. Ron is the most experienced open water swimmer right now, so I recommended him to the PSI. He is regularly training and a consistent podium finisher in our open water competitions, “ aniya.