Kayla: I’m not yet done

Manila Times - Sep 25, 2026

KAYLA Sanchez was so close to ending the 28-year medal drought of the Philippines in the swimming event at the Asian Games. The two-time Olympic medalist, however, missed the podium by a hairline in the 100-meter freestyle after clocking 53.65 seconds, just 0.18 second slower than bronze medalist Cheng Yukie of China, who clocked 53.17 seconds. In her favorite 50-meter freestyle event, she was 0.29 second short of a bronze medal finish after clocking in 24.75 seconds. China’s Yujie Cheng bagged the bronze at 24.46 seconds. Sanchez bared her emotions and expressed her disappointment for not taking home a medal. “I guess I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to bring the Philippines a medal, and I’m really sorry that I wasn’t able to do that. But I think the greater lesson here is not to be afraid to try,” said Sanchez who won two Olympic medals in Tokyo while representing Canada. The last time the Philippines won a medal at the Asian Games was in 1988 when Raymond Papa captured two bronze medals in the 100-m and 200-m backstroke events. Despite the heartaches in Nagoya, Sanchez is determined to bounce back.  “Yes, I am not done [in the Asian Games]. And I am motivated to get better results, and get...

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