(UPDATE) THREE members of the Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) were hailed as Most Outstanding Swimmers (MOS) in their respective divisions in the 2024 Buccaneer Invitational Swimming Championships held at St. Mary's International School swimming pool in Tokyo, Japan.
Kristian Yugo Cabana topped the list, accumulating 49 points to win the MOS award in the boys' 14-year division.
The Lucena City pride won four golds (400-m IM, 100m freestyle, 100-m butterfly, and 200-m IM), one silver (200-m butterfly), and one bronze (100-m backstroke) to secure the top spot in his category.
Cabana's impressive performance led the BEST team to a successful campaign in Tokyo.
Behrouz Mohammad Madi Mojdeh of Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque also demonstrated exceptional skill, accumulating 42 points to receive the MOS award in the boys' 13-year category.
Mojdeh's achievements comprised two gold medals in the 200-m breaststroke and 100-m breaststroke events, one silver medal in the 400-m IM, and two bronze medals in the 200-m IM and 200-m butterfly events, in the tournament featuring 16 teams and over 600 participants.
Therese Annika Quinto similarly excelled, earning the MOS award in the girls' 13-year division with 40 points. Her medal tally included one gold in the 200-m backstroke, two silvers in the 400-m freestyle and 100-m freestyle events, and three bronzes in the 200-m freestyle, 50-m freestyle and 100-m backstroke events.
"Also part of the delegation were Mikhael Jasper Mikee Mojdeh with three silvers and two bronzes, Clara Maligat with one bronze, Juancho Jamon with one silver and one bronze, and Athena Custodio with one bronze."
BEST team manager Joan Mojdeh expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We're pleased with our swimmers' accomplishments. We look forward to our next participation next year and hope to send an even larger contingent of athletes."
Mojdeh emphasized the value of international tournaments in fostering grassroots development, noting, "Events like these provide invaluable experience for our young athletes."
The delegation extended their gratitude to the Filipino community, specifically acknowledging the support of Myles Beltran, Arnel Punzalan, Marilyn Yokokoji, Sheryl Alcantara Yusa, Sheryl Ballesteros, Sahlee Bucao Endo and Shirley Dizon Yasaka.
Appreciation was also expressed to coaches Sherwyn Santiago and Jerricson Llanos, as well as SLP president Fred Ancheta.