Filipino-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez has what it takes to make waves globally for the Philippines, a high-ranking swimming official said.
FINA board member Taha Sulaiman Al Kishry said the 21-year-old will start to compete under the Philippine banner next year and the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, will be her first tournament.
Immediately after the Fukuoka worlds in July, Sanchez will suit up when Hangzhou hosts the Asian Games in September as she finally completes her one year of residency as per FINA rules.
Kishry, also the secretary general of the Asian Swimming Federation, was in New Clark City in Tarlac last Wednesday to sign a memorandum of agreement for hosting the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in November 2023.
Also present during the event were Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Bases Conversion and Development Authority senior vice president Arrey Perez.
“I think Kayla can get a good result in the World Championship, especially since she will be cleared of her one-year residency. She will go to the Asian Games and believe she will win more than one medal there,” Al Kishry said.
“Kayla has to train outside, especially in Australia and America where most swimmers go for a high level of training.”
Sanchez, who won a silver and bronze medal for Canada in the Tokyo Olympics last year, already showed flashes of brilliance last October at the 2022 Czech Cup in Pilsen, Czech Republic with her times at the women’s 50-meter (24.63 seconds) and 100m (52.71 seconds) freestyle events eligible for new Philippine records.
Unfortunately, she is still undergoing the one-year residency period so she still competed in the tournament representing Canada.
The Philippine Swimming Inc. tapped the services of Luka Gabrillo of Switzerland to monitor Sanchez’s progress and keep her in competitive form.
PSI president Lailani Velasco said she is flattered by Al Kishry’s complement of Sanchez’s chances to make an impact for the Philippines.
“I’m glad he recognizes the potential of Kayla in the Asian Games and in the 2024 Paris Olympics,” Velasco told Daily Tribune in a text message.
Al Kishry said that while Sanchez needs to prove her worth, next year’s roster of tournaments will give her a lot of chances to qualify for Paris.
“I expect that there will be more than five to six championships six months before Paris. There are also regional qualifications in China and Japan if she does not qualify through the Asian Games,” Al Kishry added.
