CARLOS ‘Pinky’ Brosas, for decades one of the pillars of Philippine swimming, died on Thursday at the age of 68.
On Friday, Philippine Aquatics Inc. announced the passing of Brosas, who left an indelible mark in the sport both as a swimmer and coach,
Brosas won a silver medal in the 1970 Asian Games in the 4x100m freestyle relay, and competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Lasting legacy
But Brosas left an even bigger legacy as coach of five Olympians. He is credited for at least 37 Philippine records, according to Philippine Aquatics.
He was the head coach of the Philippine team in the 1988, 2008, and 2012 Olympics, and the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
“Coach Pinky spent his life generously sharing from his wealth of experience and leaves a vacuum few can fill. While we mourn his death we give thanks for the legacy Coach Pinky leaves behind in Philippine sports,” said Philippine Aquatics Inc. in a statement.
Tributes pour in for Coach Pinky
Philippine swimming personalities paid tribute to Brosas.
“A life well lived for others,” wrote 1988 Olympian Akiko Thomson-Guevera on her Facebook account.
Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Xiandi Chua called Brosas as “a coach, a mentor, a father, a grand father, a best friend.”
“Having you take me under your wing has been absolutely the best 10 years of my life. I am completely broken, devastated and hurt right now,” Chua wrote on her Facebook account.
Ryan Arabejo wrote: “For 96 years, swimming has been a part of that Olympic program. For more than half of that time, Carlos ‘Pinky’ Singson Brosas has been a part of it. Locally produced Olympic swimmers in five different decades. Your dedication to this sport knows no boundaries.”
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