Dakar:Swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido and wushu artist Angel Polo will commence the Philippine campaign at the 4th Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal on Sunday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ajido is set to compete in the men's 100-meter butterfly event, participating in the third of four heats at 1054 a.m. local time (654 p.m. Philippine time) at the Complexe Tour de l'Ceuf pool. Meanwhile, Polo will vie for a spot in the final eight against 10 competitors in the preliminary round of women's taijishian at Diamniadio Expo Centre, starting at 1012 a.m. local time (612 p.m. Philippine time).
Ajido, a record holder in the boys' 100m butterfly and freestyle at the Palarong Pambansa, is among 31 swimmers aiming for one of the eight final spots scheduled for 332 p.m. Dakar time on the same day. He expressed his excitement, stating that participating in the YOG is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which he has trained intensively.
Polo, a 10th grader at Pasay North City High School, will face 11 opponents in the traditional Chinese martial art competition. At 15 years old, she previously secured a bronze medal at the 10th World Junior Championships in Tanjin, China. Polo has been rigorously training twice daily under coach Li Jianfang.
The Youth Olympic Games began on Saturday night with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring hundreds of dancers celebrating Senegalese and African culture. The event was officially opened by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the 55,000-seat Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, located 30 kilometers from Dakar.
On Monday, Polo will continue her competition in the women's taijiquann preliminaries, and Riannah Chantelle Coleman will compete in the women's 200 meters breaststroke heats. The final rounds for wushu are scheduled for the same day.
