Forum OnSpot Interview
Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Forum OnSpot!
Hosted by Adrian Lasay, we’re bringing you an exclusive experience that will leave you inspired and in awe. This is an episode you don’t want to miss—a celebration of triumph, dedication, and the NVCian spirit.
SPORTS | AKLANON SWIMMER SETS NEW RECORD, FIRST GOLD MEDALIST ON 45TH SEA GAME
Jennuel Booh De Leon currently a Grade -12 Gas student of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC), made history as the first-ever Gold Medalist at the 45th Sea Age Group Swimming Championships on August 25, 2023, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
De Leon, serving as the pride of Aklan, dominated the boys’ 16-18 class 50m butterfly with a time of 25.40 seconds defeating the Malaysian swimmer Bernie Elle Yang Lee (25.49) and Thanaseat Thanonthisitsakul of Thailand (25.72).
The 16-year-old Aklanon swimmer also secured a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle with a time of 24.35.
It can be recalled that De Leon has previously clinched gold, and set a record in the 63rd Palarong Pambansa held in Marikina Metro Manila from July 29- August 5, 2023.
De Leon recorded a time of 26.78 in the 50 meters – Backstroke Swimming, breaking the 2019 record of Calabarson (29.18). Additionally, he also broke the 25. 39 record of NCR in the 50-meter Freestyle Swimming Secondary Boys as he set the new record of 24.09 seconds. Moreover, the Aklanon swimmer also secured a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle (53.68) and silver medals in the 100-meter backstroke and 4×50 Medley Relay (Swimming Secondary Boys).
De Leon is a native of Lilo-an Malinao, Aklan, and the Son of Spouses Mr. Manuel De Leon, Jr and Mrs. Jenny Bautista De Leon.
He started his interest in swimming through the influence of his father who is a swimmer. In an exclusive interview of the forum on spot with De Leon, he shared how mastering techniques played a crucial role in setting new records and achieving international recognition.
Before clinching his first-ever international title, De Leon had won numerous prestigious awards at the local, regional, and national levels, becoming an inspiration and pride not only in Aklan but throughout the entire Philippines.
According to him, he considered all his competition as Challenging.
” Personally, I challenged myself. For me all my competitions are challenging because whenever I compete, I always try to do my best to beat my record” de Leon shared.
De Leon emphasized the importance of hard work, dedication, consistency, self-discipline, and patience in achieving his dreams and aspirations as a swimmer.
When asked about his plans, he expressed his desire to participate in more international competitions to represent the Philippines.
Article by: Luz Mary P. Rufon and Cristalyn Insauriga, BACOMM 4A