Fil-Canadian Olympian Kayla Sanchez named Canada’s top U sports athlete
Kayla Sanchez earns the title of top athlete at the 2025 U Sports Swimming Championships. Photo from kaylasanchez_/Instagram
Filipino Canadian Olympic swimmer Kayla Sanchez continues to make a huge splash in the international swimming scene as she recently earned the title of top athlete at the 2025 U Sports Swimming Championships in Toronto, Canada.
The two-time Olympian, based in the maple country, delivered an outstanding performance in the collegiate competition which solidified her status as one of Canada’s premier swimmers.
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Her teammate, Finlay Knox, claimed the same distinction in the men’s category at the same event, which serves as the governing body for university sports in Canada.
Beyond her individual accolade, Sanchez played a crucial role in leading the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds to national victory.
The team amassed an impressive 1472 points to secure the championship title, marking the school’s 25th overall win in the women’s division.
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Taking to Instagram, Sanchez expressed her gratitude, writing, “first @usportsca with this team~thank you @speedocanada and thank you @jaze_swim for kitting me out and for your love & support!”
Sanchez’s success at U Sports comes after her memorable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she reached the semifinals and set a new national record for the Philippines.
Though her bid for an Olympic medal ended with a seventh-place finish in the semifinals last year, clocking 54.21 seconds, she remains determined to reach new heights.
Now, the 23-year-old swimmer has her sights set on the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand, scheduled this year. Representing the Philippines, she hopes to make an even bigger impact on the regional stage.
Despite her rigorous training and competitions, Sanchez has also made time to give back.
Upon her return from the Olympics, she conducted a three-day swimming camp in Pampanga in 2024, her father’s hometown, inspiring young Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams in the sport.
