KAYLA Noelle Sanchez rewrote her own Philippine national record in the women’s 50-meter backstroke to book a spot in the finals of the 2026 Asian Games on Monday.
The 25-year-old Sanchez clocked 28.24 seconds in the heats, finishing second in Heat 3 to advance to the medal race later in the evening.
Her new mark eclipsed her previous national record of 28.47 seconds, which she set at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Joining Sanchez in the final is fellow Filipina swimmer Teia Salvino, who posted 29.14 seconds in Heat 4.
Sanchez and Salvino were also part of the Philippine women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that was disqualified in Sunday night’s finals.
Sanchez has represented the Philippines internationally since 2023 after previously competing for Canada through 2022 at the Olympic and World Championship levels.
The swimmer, who was born in Singapore to Filipino parents working overseas, is also a two-time Olympic medalist from the Tokyo Games.
Now, Sanchez returns to the pool later today with a new national record behind her and a chance to battle for an Asian Games medal. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
