Family is important to me. To be able to make this decision for my family and myself and for my culture here, it means the world to me. It puts so much more meaning in what I do and I’m super lucky to have that opportunity.
PHOTOGRAPHs courtesy of kayla Sanchez/IG kayla Sanchez is being groomed to be the future of Philippine swimming.
The future looks bright for Philippine swimming with the arrival of an Olympic medalist in Kayla Sanchez.
AN Asian Games gold medal in swimming is within reach with Kayla Sanchez at the helm.
Kayla Sanchez plunged into Philippine swimming at a perfect time.
The 22-year-old Sanchez has yet to compete in her first official tournament in the international arena, but the hype machine is already buzzing with excitement with sideliners tagging her as the lifesaver of Philippine swimming.
And she has all the reason to be given such a lofty title.
In fact, she is coming in with stellar credentials after winning a silver medal in the women's 4×100-meter freestyle and a bronze medal in the women's 4×100-meter medley relay for Canada in the Tokyo Olympics two years ago.
Former swimming chief Lani Velasco admitted that acquiring the services of Sanchez wasn't an easy process.
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"We've been talking to her family since 2017 but it was Kayla who made the decision," said Velasco said, adding that convincing Sanchez and her family to swim for the Philippines had never been easy.
"Swimming Canada emailed us when we are going to give the press release. I got a letter from them and said: 'Take care of Kayla. She's a gem.'"
To show that the federation is serious in having her, it tapped noted Swiss mentor Luka Gabrillo to train her while she's serving a one-year residency.
For Sanchez, whose parents Noel and Susana are full-blooded Filipinos, the choice to represent the Philippines was all about family.
"Family is important to me. To be able to make this decision for my family and myself and for my culture here, it means the world to me. It puts so much more meaning in what I do and I'm super lucky to have that opportunity," Sanchez said.
"I definitely had the full support (from Swimming Canada)."
Sanchez will be joining a rejuvenated Philippine squad that had an impressive showing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May.
Led by SEA Games gold medalists Teia Salvino and Xiandi Chua, the Philippines emerged with two gold, six silver and eight bronze medals in the previous biennial meet — its best finish since winning four gold medals in the 2009 meet in Laos.
Veteran swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi couldn't contain her excitement over the possibility of teaming up with Sanchez in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October.
"I think our relay team is going to be really good. I want to focus on these events because any event that can win our country the medal, that's what I will do," Alkhaldi said.
"She's got really amazing experience, already being a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist. I think I am open to helping her out with the Filipino culture but in the swimming world, she's got it covered."
Philippine swimming coach Archie Lim is also on board with this, saying Sanchez will have a solid crew to lean on in the upcoming Asian Games.
"I hope so. I know a lot of our countrymen are looking forward to Kayla joining. But as I said, if she wants to help the national team with the relays, she would need this crew," Lim said.
"We can see this crew is getting up there. Hopefully, the likes of Xiandi and Teia will not just win one gold but win more medals. The other swimmers who got silver and bronze can actually start winning the gold so it's a very bright future for this crew and for those coming to the team."
Look out Asia: Here comes Kayla.
