Viking Dinh McKenzie Santos was among the three young athletes honored with the 2024 Dangal ng Baliwag—Natatanging Kabataang Baliwagenyo award at The Chapters MDSF Social Hall last May 30, standing out among all the nominees for his remarkable achievements in the recent Batang Pinoy national championship and the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) 2024 for swimming.
The Baliwag City Local Government Unit (LGU) hosts its annual Dangal ng Baliwag awards ceremony—a night of recognizing distinguished Baliwagenyos for their excellence in sports, culture, arts, entrepreneurship, and other disciplines.
MDSF’s very own student-athlete, popularly known as Kenzie, achieved impressive rankings in the Batang Pinoy, akin to the Palarong Pambansa, as both prestigious national-level athletics competitions, held on December 18 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Here is the list of his feats:
- 50m Fly: 20th place out of 120
- 100m Fly: Bronze out of 110
- 200m Fly: 4th place out of 67
- 400m Free: 8th place out of 120
- 1500m Free: Bronze out of 53
At the CLRAA meet on the other hand, Kenzie represented Team Bulacan and secured a bronze medal in the 200m Long Course Meter Butterfly for his age bracket. Specializing in the butterfly stroke, particularly the demanding 200m event, the swimmer explained that the butterfly is not just about strength.
“You need strategies and intellect (in butterfly) to pace yourself,” Kenzie said.
According to the incoming 8th-grader, he trains relentlessly, honing his mind and body to focus on another endurance event, the 1500-meter freestyle, which demands technique, power, resilience, and endurance.
“Swimming instills extraordinary discipline and has a holistic impact on your life,” he emphasized.
Despite his intense daily routine—starting training at 6 until 8 am, another one at 5 and returning home until 7 pm, training everyday except Sundays—Santos still achieved the academic distinction of With High Honors.
Moreover, Kenzie is known for his supportive, joyful, and humble nature, extending friendships with competitors from various schools, encouraging them to never give up on their dreams amid the hurdles, and emphasizing the importance of time management.
Throughout his journey, he regarded the other delegates as friends, even asking his parents to let him stay with them during training and warm-up sessions on competition days.
There was even a time that Kenzie was allowed to ride a service bus from Malolos to Zambales in which Kenzie gained not just lots of experience but also friends from different walks of life.
His message to fellow athletes is clear: “Don’t underestimate yourself. Keep training and please manage your time wisely.”
Now competing against swimmers who are already in senior high school, 12-year old Santos originally started his swimming journey at age six in second grade.
“I used to cry a lot when I was new, afraid of getting scolded. But since then, I’m constantly improving. Even now, I’m very hopeful and locked in that I could compete internationally. I’m not yet in my prime, but I will keep pursuing my dreams, and you should too.”
“Swimming is a life skill that can save you from dire situations,” Kenzie advises, hoping to inspire fellow Baliwagenyos to take on the challenge of riding the waves, in sports and life.
Kenzie learned early on that true victories come not just from medals and recognition, but also from the wonderful people and experiences he will cherish for life.
By: Reinlois Felipe