(POC Media Pool)
Filipino swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido narrowly missed the podium after finishing fifth in the men’s 100-meter butterfly final at the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday night, November 1.
Ajido, the lone Southeast Asian finalist, clocked 55.16 seconds at the Complexe Tour de l’Œuf pool, improving his performance from the morning qualifying heats, where he placed seventh.
Egypt’s Ali Sain captured the gold medal with a time of 52.16 seconds, significantly improving his 53.96-second performance in the heats.
Serbia’s Aleksej Kalan secured silver in 54.03 seconds, while Slovakia’s Matias Kristof claimed bronze in 54.71 seconds.
India’s Tirthank Pegun finished fourth in 54.98 seconds, just ahead of Ajido.
Despite missing a medal, the Asian junior medalist remains in contention in two more events, the men’s 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly, scheduled for Tuesday.
Meanwhile, fellow Filipino swimmer Riannah Chantelle Coleman will compete in the second heat of the women’s 200m breaststroke on Monday at 11:02 a.m. Senegal time.
Other members of Team Philippines include Angel Polo in wushu; Hillarion Palles III and Tchelcy Mei Maayo in gymnastics; Maritanya Krog in cycling; Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Marjorie Caesar in athletics; and Jade Justine Justiniane in windsurfing.
First held in Singapore in 2010, the Youth Olympic Games take place every four years. The Dakar edition marks the first time the competition is being staged on African soil.
