TWO JUNIOR Tigersharks are making waves in local and international competitions.
Sean Terence Zamora and Skyler Claveria are a living proof of UST’s world-class sports program as shown by their combined collection of gold medals.
Zamora went home with six gold medals in the 2014 Hong Kong Stingrays Swimming Championships last May. He also collected 11 gold medals in the 2014 Australia Swimming Championships-All Stars Challenge in Perth last April and another six in the 54th Philippine Swimming League (PSL) leg series at the Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City last March, on top of three record-breaking finishes.
Zamora broke the Philippine records in the 200m individual medley (2:19.84), 100m butterfly (1:01.35) and 50m freestyle (25.86) during his stint in the 54th PSL.
Claveria lorded it over several national players in the Philippine National Games (PNG). He earned four gold (50m and 100m butterfly, 50m and 100m breaststroke) and two silver medals (50m freestyle and 200m breaststroke) in the PNG swimming tournament.
“It boiled down to training. I also thought of my parents. I didn’t want to disappoint them,” said the 13-year-old Zamora, who’s Troy to his friends.
UST Junior Tigersharks assistant coach Ferdinand Frigillana was also surprised with Zamora’s success.
“Troy has always been an underdog. He even fell ill during the second day of the UAAP swimming event,” Frigillana recalled. “I think it was his passion for the sport that brought out the best in him.”
The 15-year-old Claveria admitted he had jitters at first, but was able to shake it off with prayers.
“Whenever I’m about to swim, I pray first. I point to the sky as a sign of gratitude. After my first event, I was able to get my gears going and eventually, I won,” he said.
Zamora said he wanted to take up engineering in UST, while Claveria hopes to proceed to UST’s College of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
“It has always been my dream to travel. Whenever I go out of the country to participate in international tournaments, I feel amazed whenever I look at the flight attendants. They get to travel for free and get paid,” Claveria said.
