Fil-Canadian Olympian Kayla Sanchez eyes 2025 SEA Games

Photo from kaylasanchez/Instagram

It seems Filipino Canadian Olympic swimmer Kayla Sanchez is far from finished representing the Philippines.

After a record-breaking showing as a semi-finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she is now setting her sights on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, scheduled for next year.

Sanchez, who made headlines at the Summer Games by setting a new national record for the Philippines, clocked 53.67 seconds in her 100-meter freestyle heat qualifying match, which secured her a spot in the semifinals and a 10th-place overall finish.

However, her quest for an Olympic medal was cut short in the semifinals, where she placed seventh with a time of 54.21 seconds.

Reflecting on her Olympic journey, the Fil-Canadian swimmer remains optimistic about her future. “I’ve got a new coach now, and I’m really enjoying the training. I achieved my fastest time in two years since changing my nationality. Everything is moving in the right direction,” she shared during a homecoming event for the Olympians at Hilton Manila.

Beyond her Olympic achievements, the two-time medalist – who earned silver and bronze with Team Canada during the 2020 Tokyo Games – continues to inspire the next generation. Following her return from the Summer Games, Sanchez held a three-day swimming camp in Pampanga, her father’s hometown.

During the camp at New Clark City, she expressed her strong belief that future Olympians would emerge from the region, referring to the young participants as “up-and-coming Olympians.” In a social media post about the camp, she encouraged them, saying, “Believe in yourself!”

As she prepares for the Southeast Asian Games, Sanchez is set to resume training in September, with plans to compete in various events, including freestyle, backstroke, medley and relays.

Looking forward to the competition, she expressed her excitement: “SEA Games 2025, I have lots of time, and I’m so excited to go there and race as much as I can and win medals.”