PHILIPPINE Aquatics Sports Association president Mark Joseph said yesterday he is eyeing two Fil-foreign tankers who saw action in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou to be part of the national team for the 2012 London Olympics. Joseph said Fil-British Charles Walker and Fil-American Daniel Coakley, who also competed in the 2010 World Short Course swimming championships in Dubai, submitted impressive clockings that could merit them a spot for the team going to London.
“We only learned how good their times were the other day when my staff started reviewing their performances. They are young swimmers. They seem to have broken Philippine records considering that they were up against older swimmers from other countries,” said Joseph.
Walker, who joined the national team in the Asiad, placed 45th in the 100-meter backstroke heats with a clocking of 55.73 seconds.
He ended up 49th in the 50-meter freestyle heats when he timed 22.87 seconds, 33rd in the 50-meter backstroke, and clocked 50.30 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle heats.
Coakley, meanwhile, placed 42nd in the 50-m butterfly in 24.23 seconds, and clocked 50.08 seconds in the 100-meter individual medley.
Joseph added that based on their performances, both swimmers have good chances of improving their times and make the team for the London Games.
Aside from Walker and Coakley, there are 10 other aspirants who could join next year’s national squad to the 2012 Olympics.
Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Today
