MANILA, Philippines — La Salle Green Hills standout Behrouz Mohammad Madi Mojdeh proved unstoppable after capturing his fourth gold medal at the 3rd Asian Open Schools Invitational (AOSI) Short Course Swimming Championships at the Assumption University Aquatics Center Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mojdeh clocked a commanding 2:12.40 to dominate the boys’ 15-year 200m backstroke, finishing comfortably ahead of runner-up Tuong Thai of Vietnam (2:16.50).
He also ruled the 200m butterfly with a swift 2:08.86—missing the tournament record of 2:08.48 by just a hair.
"Fell just short of the record, but it was a solid race. The focus now shifts entirely to what’s next. Two events remaining, and the goal remains the same: total sweep,” Mojdeh said.
Mojdeh delivered a masterclass in the 200m butterfly, stopping the clock at 2:08.86. The performance brought him within striking distance of the tournament record of 2:08.48, missing the mark by a mere fraction of a second.
Mojdeh had already stamped his authority on the championships earlier in the meet by smashing the tournament records in both the 200m Individual Medley (2:12.31) and the 200m breaststroke (2:26.53), keeping his target of a six-event sweep well within reach.
He will next plunge into action in the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle events on the final day of competition.
Meanwhile, his teammates from the Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) kept the momentum going, highlighted by a record-breaking performance from Clara Maligat.
The La Salle Zobel standout posted an impressive 2:31.68 to claim gold in the girls’ 15-year 200m butterfly, shattering the previous record of 2:54.06 set by Malaysia's Meral Ayn Latheef in the 2024 edition. This marks Maligat's second gold medal following her victory in the 25m butterfly, alongside a silver finish in the 100m freestyle (1:04.32).
Therese Annika Quinto also put on a show in the girls’ 15-year division, snagging two more gold medals after reigning supreme in the 50m backstroke (32.07) and 100m freestyle (1:02.20). Quinto now holds three golds overall, adding to her earlier win in the 50m freestyle (28.30).
The regional meet features top talent from 16 Asian nations, including Iran, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and host Thailand.
Adding to the tally, La Salle Zobel swimmer Nino Angelo Pugay secured a silver (200m butterfly) and a bronze (200m IM) in the boys’ 16-year category.
Rounding out the haul, Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque tanker Mikhael Jasper Mikee Mojdeh bagged a bronze in the boys’ 11-year 100m freestyle, while another La Salle Zobel bet Athena Denise Custodio claimed bronze in the girls’ 15-year 200m breaststroke.
”Watching our athletes fight for medals in every event makes me immensely proud. This experience will serve them well—honing their technique and preparing them to take on tougher competition in the future,” said BEST team manager Joan Mojdeh. TMT
