Huge cash splash awaits PH swimmer after 8-medal haul in SEAG

Sports

TOPNOTCH swimmer Kayla Sanchez emerged as the most bemedalled athlete for Team Philippines in the recent 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Sanchez raked in eight medals, a productive stint that would earn her P1.2 million in cash incentives.

As mandated by Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, a gold in the SEA Games is worth P300,000 while a silver and a bronze are equivalent to P150,000 and P60,000, respectively.

Winners in team events composed of less than five participants receive a certain percentage of the incentive.

Turning in a productive stint in her first SEA Games stint, the 24-year-old Sanchez snatched three gold and five silver medals.

A two-time Olympic swimmer, Sanchez got her three golds from the women’s 100m free, 100m back, and 4x100m freestyle relay team. She added five silvers from 50m back, 50m free, 200m free, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay.

Contributing to the country’s strong showing at the pool was Heather White, who collected one gold, three silvers, and one bronze.

The country’s other multi-medalists were Kira Ellis (triathlon), Peter Groseclose (short track speed skating), Alex Eala (tennis), and Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics).

Team Philippines finished the biennial meet at sixth spot with a haul of 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes.(CCM)