By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina-American Teia Salvino hit two birds with one stone after bagging the gold medal in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games women’s 100-meter backstroke swimming event while also breaking the Philippine and the SEAG records last May 9, 2023, held at the Morodok Techo Aquatics Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The teen sensation finished the race with a time of 1:01.64, eclipsing the SEAG record of 1:01.89 set by Nguyen Thi Anh Vien last 2019 edition and the PHL record of 1:02.70 by Chloe Isleta.
It was a crucial last 10 seconds for Salvino after bursting wisely to avoid the serious challenge from Faith Elizabeth Koo of Singapore.
Koo, who was at par with Salvino in some moments of the competition, took home the silver medal and was behind by two seconds when she clocked in 1:03.68.
Claiming the bronze medal in the 100-m backstroke event was Indonesian star Angel Gabriella Yus with a time of 1:03.61.
Meanwhile, Isleta, settled for the fourth-place finish and was only milliseconds shy of surpassing Indonesia’s Yus with a time of 1:03.93.
Salvino, a 17-year-old teen wonder out of the University of Alabama, is only seeking to make her mark in the sport and the SEAG.
Despite going up against the more experienced participants, the neophyte exceeded the expectations of the majority and was able to deliver the ultimate medal for the PHL.
Aside from Salvino’s historic outing, Jarod Hotch, Jasmine Alkhaldi, Jerard Jacinto, and Thanya Dela Cruz also won medals in their respective categories.
