PAULENE BEATRIZ OBEBE completed another sweep while Nicola Queen Diamante fell short in her final event at the close of First Congress of Philippine Aquatics Inc. (COPA)-Samahang Manlalangoy ng Pilipinas (SMP) Christmas Friendship Swimfest held over the weekend at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Obebe, the pride of Aqua Sprint Swim Club, closed out her four-event campaign with sterling performances in the girls 12 years old 100 meters freestyle with a clocking one minute and 6.76 seconds to further her Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award.
“I’m very happy and hopefully next year I can beat my times,” said Obebe, who also ruled the Class A 50m butterfly (31.18), 50m backstroke (34.83) and 50m free (29.33).
Called COPA’s “Diamond Girl,” Diamante, representing RSS Dolphins of coach Anthony Reyes, absorbed her first tournament defeat as she settled for the silver medal behind Maria Felisha of Bulacan Water Dragons in the 11 years old Class A 100m freestyle event.
The Grade 7 honor student at Augustinian Abbey School in Las Piñas clocked 1:11.77, finishing some three seconds behind Celso (1:08.79).
The loss was Diamante’s first since COPA resumed its events last August. She was a previous MOS in the 50m freestyle (31.66), 50m backstroke (34.43) and 50m butterfly (34.43).
She amassed a total 24 gold medals.
“I’ll do my best the next time,” Diamante said. “Whatever coach sees as my weakness, I’ll work on it.”
COPA board member and SMP President Chito Rivera said Rob Wright of the famous Hong Kong swimming family and head of the HK Stingray Swim Club already confirmed a 12-member team for COPA’s next tournament tentatively set in March.
Rivera also said that the COPA plans to hold more tournaments and seminars for coaches and public school Physical Education teachers to sustain the vision of COPA president and Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.