Mojdeh pockets 2nd bronze in Asean Schools Games

PHILIPPINE national junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh bagged her second bronze medal in the 13th Asean Schools Games swimming competitions being held in Da Nang, Vietnam.The Brent International School-Manila standout unleashed her water beast mode on the final day of the competition to secure a podium finish in the girls' 200 m butterfly event. BIRTHDAY GIRL! Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM KARA ONG Mojdeh, a semifinalist in the World Juniors Championships in Peru, registered two minutes and 20.11 seconds.It was Mojdeh's second medal in this year's Asean Schools Games after winning her first in the girls' 100 m butterfly event during the second day of the competition."I am so proud of you, my lovely Jasmine. She may have the most beautiful smile, but behind that, she has cried so many times. She struggled harder like most athletes, especially in the transition period of her life," said Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) team manager Joan Mojdeh — mother of Micaela Jasmine.The Palarong Pambansa multi-gold medalist and flag bearer of Team Philippines in the opening ceremonies matched her two-bronze medal output in the 2019 edition of the Asean Schools Games held in Semarang, Indonesia."Nobody is immune to pain, heartache or failures or mistakes. But what makes her so admirable is that despite the fear, despite the pain, she always learns to stand up," said Joan."That medal symbolizes how she fought every single day for her dream, and that is what makes me so proud of her," she added.It was a perfect gift for Micaela Jasmine, who celebrated her 18th birthday on Friday."If you are an athlete, be inspired of her resilience in any challenges she faces. Because that is where you can find growth," added Joan.The elder Mojdeh also thanked those who supported her daughter, including her teammate and fellow World Juniors Championships veteran Heather White and her mother Jenny White — both based in Ho Chi Minh City.Heather even flew all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to support her bestfriend Micaela Jasmine."I would like to thank all those who helped her. Her dearest sister from another mother, Heather! For flying all the way from Saigon to show her support. Tita Jenny, for her unwavering support and pep talk to Jasmine, especially when we needed the most," ended Mojdeh.Meanwhile, Shania Joy Baraquiel fell short in the girls' 50 m backstroke, finishing fourth overall with a time of 30.71 seconds.In the boys' 200 m butterfly, Shiblon Montera finished fifth with 2:09.11, while Paolo Miguel Labanon wound up sixth with 2:09.25.