Filipino-American swimmer Gian Santos, despite just five days of training in Manila, made waves at the Philippine Aquatics National Trials by securing multiple gold medals, setting two new junior national records, and earning the prestigious Most Outstanding Swimmer award. His exceptional performance has significantly strengthened his bid to join the Philippine delegation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as the trials are crucial in selecting the national swimming team for upcoming international competitions.
The 18-year-old promising athlete won six gold medals and set two new records at the Philippine Aquatics National Trials from August 15 to 23, 2024, held at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Santos swam his way to the top and dominated six events against homegrown and overseas Filipino swimmers in the Boys 16-18 age group.
Here are Gian Santos’ awards at the Philippine Aquatics National Trials:
- GOLD – 100m Freestyle (0:50.70 – New Junior National Record)
- GOLD – 200m Freestyle (1:51.39)
- GOLD – 400m Freestyle (4:01.26)
- GOLD – 200m Breaststroke (2:18.30 – New Junior National Record)
- GOLD – 200m Individual Medley (2:05.99)
- GOLD – 400m Individual Medley (4:31.33 – Four minutes and 31.33 seconds)
A champion’s mindset
After the competitions, the bemedaled swimmer shared his thoughts with Good News Pilipinas about his performance and preparations for the tryouts.
“This first PAI (Philippine Aquatics, Inc.) National Trials, like many meets in 2024, prove to me time and time again how true this notion is. With a two-week break and only five days of training, I was able to achieve 6 gold medals, drop in two of my events, and earn myself a new Junior National record in the 100 Freestyle, lowering the standard by .26 seconds,” Santos said.
“Through it all, I was just focusing on relaxing, taking a step back, and just having fun. I never stressed about the next race, who to beat, or what time to go,” shared the California-born swimmer with Kapampangan (dad Marlon) and Negrense (mom Didi) roots.
“I attended this meet (Philippine Aquatic National Trials) with one the primary goals of just enjoying the moment, and enjoying the sport. By doing well here, it shows me how limiting the mind can truly be,” Santos stated.
“When we take competitions so seriously, we pressure ourselves so much to the point of possibly underperforming in the meet. By learning to let go of the nerves and anxiety, our best self comes to the forefront,” the incoming Neuroscience student of Columbia University added.
Gian Santos for Team Philippines
The well-decorated junior swimmer who previously competed for the Philippines at the World Junior Swimming Championships 2022 in Peru, the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships 2022 in Malaysia, and the World Juniors 2023 in Israel also pointed out that athletes can perform at their best in any competition by not dwelling on pressures.
All qualified athletes from the Philippine Aquatic National Trials will be sent to compete and represent the country in the upcoming 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championship in Thailand in December 2024, as well as in the 55th Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships, and the 67th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships both happening in 2025.
Santos also expressed his goal to represent the Philippines in upcoming major sporting events, including the next Olympics.
“Moving forward, I intend to compete at the World Championships in Singapore in July of 2025, the SEA Games in Thailand in December 2025, the Asian Games in Japan in September 2026, the World Championships in Budapest in 2027, the SEA Games in 2027, and eventually the 2028 LA Olympics,” he concluded.
Get to know more about Gian Santos from our exclusive virtual interview conducted before he competed at the PAI National Trials, by signing up for our e-newsletter.
Team Philippines has been making waves in international swimming competitions. In 2018, young swimmers from the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) claimed the overall championship title at the Tokyo Invitational Swimming Championship with 33 gold, 35 silvers, and 12 bronze medals.
Filipino Olympian Kayla Sanchez won the International Swimming League (ISL) tilt in London in 2019 when she still represented Canada. Bearing the Philippine colors in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sanchez successfully set a new national record of 53.57 in the Women’s 100m Freestyle.
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