THE Mojdeh siblings powered the Behrouz Elite Swimming Team (BEST) to a dominant 20-gold medal haul in the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. National Age-Group Championships held at the New Clark City Aquatics Center.
At the center of it all was national team standout Micaela Jasmine, who turned adversity into authority.
Just months after a frustrating Southeast Asian Games stint in Bangkok—where illness forced her out of her signature event—Jasmine returned with purpose, sweeping four gold medals in emphatic fashion.
She ruled the 100m butterfly (1:02.60), then stamped her class in the 50m butterfly (28.50), 200m individual medley (2:27.29), and 800m freestyle (9:27.55).
But for Jasmine, the job is far from finished.
“Pleased but not satisfied. See you next month for Asian Games tryouts,” she posted ahead of the 2026 Asian Games qualifiers in Nagoya, Japan.
Matching her intensity was her brother Behrouz Mohammad Madi, who delivered a statement performance of his own in the boys’ 15-year division.
Bound for the Palarong Pambansa in Agusan, Madi collected four golds and one silver, dominating the 200m butterfly (2:11.28), 100m butterfly (59.19), 400m IM (4:52.03), and 50m butterfly (27.10), while adding a runner-up finish in the 200m IM (2:17.13).
Completing the family charge was the youngest, Mikhael Jasper “Mikee” Mojdeh, who proved he is more than ready to carry the torch.
Competing in the boys’ 11-year class, Mikee racked up three golds in the 800m freestyle (11:18.22), 400m freestyle (5:31.85), and 200m freestyle (2:37.89), along with two bronzes in backstroke events.
“I am especially proud of Jasmine,” said BEST team manager Joan Mojdeh. “Just months ago, she was ready to walk away after a disappointing SEA Games due to illness.”
Instead, Jasmine chose to fight.
“Seeing her back in the water, locked in yet full of joy, has been incredible. In such a short time, she has rediscovered her love for swimming—and is even posting her best times in distance events she rarely swam before,” she added.
Her comeback has become a catalyst—not just for her siblings, but for the entire team.
“Watching her feed off Madi’s energy—their shared events, their hunger—and seeing them lift their teammates alongside passionate coaches is what the sport is all about,” Joan said.
Beyond the medals, the performance underscored a deeper mission: building champions at home.
“The journey with Jasmine taught us that while training abroad helps, true sustainability comes from investing here—creating a system that nurtures, supports, and challenges our athletes,” Joan emphasized. “When we invest in grassroots, nothing is impossible.”
And BEST made that belief tangible.
Kristian Yugo Cabada added three golds in the boys’ 16-year division, while Elisha Ysabelle Montoya chipped in two golds and a bronze in the girls’ 16-year class.
Jandrake Timothy Dabac (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Hiro Jin Katigbak (1 gold, 1 silver), Gabriel Vincent Dimandal (1 gold, 1 bronze), and Therese Annika Quinto (1 gold) further boosted the medal count.
Even more telling was the return of veteran swimmers like Jordan Ken Lobos, whose comeback performance added inspiration to the rising generation.
“At an age when many step away, seeing them return and compete again shows that passion has no expiration,” Joan said. “Their presence fuels the next wave—it creates a cycle of motivation.”
For BEST, this wasn’t just a medal haul. It was a statement. And for Jasmine Mojdeh, it was only the beginning.
