Fil-Canadian Kayla Sanchez Disappointed in Women’s 50-Meter Backstroke at Asian Games
HANGZHOU, China – In a thrilling display of athleticism, Fil-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez gave her all in an attempt to overcome the formidable challenge of the so-called Great Wall of China. However, her efforts fell short once again in the women’s 50-meter backstroke event at the Asian Games on Monday, Sept. 25.
Sanchez valiantly joined the frenetic race to the finish line, but her best performance only earned her a sixth-place finish. The Chinese duo of Wang Xueer and Wan Letian once again dominated the competition, securing an impressive 1-2 finish, a recurring theme in many races at the event.
Wang triumphed with a time of 27.35 seconds, narrowly beating out Wan’s 27.41 seconds to claim the gold medal. The race generated an electrifying atmosphere within the city swimming stadium. Japan’s Takahashi Miki secured the bronze with a time of 28.21 seconds, while Stephanie Au Hoi Shu from Hong Kong (28.35 seconds) and Lee Eunji from Korea (28.60 seconds) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sanchez, who proudly won silver and bronze medals at the Tokyo Games last year, showed her mettle by breaking the record set by Teia Salvino in the Cambodia SEA Games only last May. Sanchez, a renowned specialist in relay events, clocked in at 28.66 seconds. Despite her impressive performance, Salvino also improved on her record, finishing eighth and last with a time of 28.79 seconds.
In another sport at the Asian Games, boxer Aaron Jude Bado’s debut did not go as planned. Bado suffered a significant cut on his left eyebrow during his 51kg division match against Thai’s Thitisan Panmo. The match was stopped by the referee due to the injury, awarding Panmo a victory via an RSC-L (Referee Stopped Contest-Injury) decision in the second round. The ring physician intervened with just 16 seconds remaining in the round, prompting an end to the contest.
Sanchez’s valiant efforts in the pool and Bado’s unfortunate injury highlight the intense competition and challenges faced by the athletes at the Asian Games. As the event continues, athletes from around the world will strive to overcome their limitations and achieve their goals on the international stage.
