Barreto wins gold for PH at sea swimming competition in Vietnam

Ateneo de Manila High School’s Rafael Barreto (9E) won a total of four medals- one gold and three bronzes- for Team Philippines at the 39th SEA Age Group Swimming Championship held in Danang, Vietnam from December 4-6, 2015. Barreto’s gold medal for the 50m butterfly (boys 14-15 division) was the first of only two gold medals won by the Philippines in the competition, where it eventually placed sixth. Twenty-nine young swimmers represented the Philippines at the SEA Age Group Swimming Championship. 

Two of Barreto’s three bronze medals were for the 100m butterfly (boys 14-15 division) and the 200m freestyle (boys 14-15). The third bronze was shared with Miguel Barlisan, Patrick Galvez, and Marco Austriaco for the boys 18U 400m freestyle relay.

At the UAAP Season 78 Swimming Championship held from 22-25 October 2015, Barreto won the coveted Rookie of The Year award in the junior boys division. He established new UAAP records in the 50m butterfly and the 50m freestyle at the competition, winning a total of three gold medals and four silver medals.