Mojdeh pistols for gold medals at ASG

BRENT International School-Manila pride Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh will be gunning for gold medals when the 13th Asean Schools Games (ASG) swimming competition kicks off in Da Nang, Vietnam on Monday.

Mojdeh, a semi-finalist at the 2021 World Junior Championships in Peru, is in action in the girls’ 400m individual medley final before competing in the preliminary round of the 100m butterfly.

The Filipino-Iranian swimmer hopes to surpass his bronze medals – both in the butterfly events – in the 2019 edition held in Semarang, Indonesia.

Last Saturday, Mojdeh served as the country’s flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the multi-sport event, flying the Philippine flag along with more than 160 athletes.

“Being chosen as flag bearer is an honor I will never forget. But this time, I’m not just carrying a symbol, I’m chasing a dream. I come back to the second Asean Schools Games stronger and determined to bring home the medal that will make our nation proud,” said Mojdeh, the only female flag bearer in the parade of nations.

In addition to the 400m individual medley and 100m butterfly, Mojdeh is also scheduled to compete in the 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley, as well as the 4x100m freestyle relay.

“I am very excited to compete this time. I have been preparing hard for this for months and I am looking forward to achieving better results compared to my first Asean Schools Games campaign in 2019 when I was only 13 years old” , said Mojdeh, 17, a member of the Behrouz elite swimming team.

Also, the girls division sees action and Kyla Bulaga, Shania Baraquiel, Krystal David, Catherine Cruz, Riannah Coleman, Clara de los Santos, Trixie Ortiguerra, Daryn Santamaria, Patricia Santor, Renavive Subida, Maxene Uy, Ishaelle Villa and Ashley Wong.

Multi-Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Aishel Cid Evangelista, Julian de Kam and Joaquin Taguinod will spearhead the Philippine campaign in the boys class.