A SOUND mind and a sound body.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic which forced most sports to grind to a halt, national junior swimming champion Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh makes sure to get both physical and mental training at all times during the lockdown.
Mojdeh and her fellow Philippines B.E.S.T (Behrouz Elite Swim Team) and Swimming League Philippines (SLP) mainstays continue to train even at home to stay physically and mentally fit.
“The pandemic really affected all of us. Sa swimming, malaki din ang epekto ng lockdown lalo na sa mga bata. But we are making sure that our young swimmers will get the training they need, ” said Jasmine’s mother, Joan Mojdeh, during the 15th “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) last Thursday.
“With the help of the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI), we regularly hold training and monitor the performances of Jasmine and our young swimmers,” added Mojdeh during the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“Fortunately, may maliit kaming swimming pool sa bahay at may kasama kaming coach kaya tuloy-tuloy pa din ang training ni Jasmine,” explained Mojdeh.
The young Mojdeh was scheduled to compete in several major international swimming competitions this year before the pandemic struck.
“Nakakahinayang po talaga yung mga tournaments namin na hindi natuloy. Pero kailangan sumunod at mag stay at home muna. Sa bahay, tuloy pa din naman training ko,” explained Mojdeh.
Among these tournaments cancelled due to the worldwide lockdown in sports were the World School Games in London, Southeast Asian Age Group in Malaysia, Hong Kong National Open, Junior Pan Pacific Meet in Hawaii and age-group competitions in Japan and Singapore.
The 13-year-old freshman at Brent International School-Laguna, however, is now looking at a long list of competitions next year where she can further hone her skills.
“Hopefully they (Singapore organzers) will now allow foreign swimmers to join. Pati yun qualifying meet for SEA Age Championship at sa SEA Games sa Vietnam Ready naman si Jasmine and our other young swimmers,” said Mojdeh.
Another adjustment being done is Jasmine’s online classes at Brent.
The older Mojdeh admitted that several UAAP and NCAA schools have offered scholarships to her daughter from high school to college.
“But we chose Brent because Jasmine’s first coach, the Susan Papa, wanted her to go there first. Then she will probably continue her studies in Japan,” she added.
