NEW Clark City – Olympian Jasmine Alkhaldi is glad to continue to make a mark in Philippine swimming even as she claimed another bronze in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The 26-year-old Alkhaldi set a new national record in the 50-meter backstroke as she placed third in 27.09 seconds. That erased Chloe Isleta’s 29.79-second Philippine record set during the Swim Meet of Champions in June.
“It’s nice to keep improving, I’m so happy especially that I found it hard which one to focus on, especially nung backstroke never ko pa siya nilangoy, so I’m just really happy,” she said.
Alkhaldi joined Remedy Rule, Nicole Oliva, Xiandi Chua in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, bagging silver and setting a new Philippine record of 3:47.05.
Alkhaldi herself was part of the relay team, with Hannah Dato, Roxanne Ashley Yu and Elizabeth Jordana in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, clocking a then-Philippine best 3:53.57.
As a SEA Games veteran, Alkhaldi is delighted to see younger girls perform well.
“I’m just very proud of all of them honestly, I am so tired but they all swam well so I said ‘Oh I have to do good too’, very inspired by all of them.”
Chloe Anne Isleta clinched the second place in the 100m backstroke event in 1:03.85, while Alkhaldi bagged bronze at 1:04.8 minutes.
The 21-year-old Isleta said she has always admired “Ate Jasmine,” and was proud to finish ahead of her idol.
“I've always looked up to her, so it was really amazing racing with her, especially in the last 50m. She pushed me further in the race,” Isleta shared. “I'm very proud. Sobrang grateful ako kasi it's for the Philippines, it's for my family. I'm very grateful.”
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