By MARK REY MONTEJO
A ‘Merry Christmas’ indeed for swimmer Kayla Sanchez.
After an outstanding and memorable performance on her first-ever Southeast Asian Games stint, Sanchez stands to receive P1.2 million from the government for her eight-medal haul in the regional showpiece.
The two-time Olympian immediately made quite an impact as she won three golds and five silvers to emerge as the most bemedalled Filipino athlete in the recent SEA Games.
Sanchez, who switched federation from Canada to Philippines two years ago, captured her first gold as part of the women’s 4X100m freestyle that included Heather White, Xiandi Chua, and Chloe Isleta.
After that win, everything went on according to plan as she stamped her class in the women’s 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
Her five silvers came from 50m back, 50m free, 200m free, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay.
Under Republic Act 10699 (National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act), a Filipino gold medalist from the biennial meet will get P300,000, P150,000 for silver and P60,000 for bronze.
While for team events, the winners composed of less than five participants get a certain percentage of the incentive based on the individual events – meaning Sanchez would be P600,000 for her two individual golds, while P75,000 each for her team gold and two team silvers. She is also set to bag P450,000 for her three silvers in the individual.
White is also getting hefty cash bonuses as well off her one gold, three silver, and one bronze medals.
Aside from the two swimmers, other notable multi-medalists were Kira Ellis (triathlete), Peter Groseclose (short track speed skating) Alex Eala (tennis), and Paris Olympian Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics).
