SWIMMING icon and legendary coach Carlos ‘Pinky’ Brosas passed away on Thursday due to a lingering illness. He was 68.
Philippine Aquatics, inc. (PAI) Secretary-General Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain confirmed the passing of his former mentor. The PAI also announced the demise of the one-time Olympian (1972) in Munich and Asian Games (1970) champion on its Facebook page.
A memorial service celebrating Brosas' life will be held from October 7-9 with Holy Mass every 6:00 pm at the St. Ignatius Chapel on the 2nd Floor of Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Guadalupe, Makati City.
“One of the country's most decorated swim coaches, Coach Pinky produced 5 Filipino Olympians and is credited with 37+ Philippine Open records,” the national governing body said.
“Coach Pinky spent his life generously sharing from his wealth of experience and leaves a vacuum few can fill. While we mourn his death, we give thanks for the legacy Coach Pinky leaves behind in Philippine sports,” it added.
Aside from Buhain, Brosas coached Olympians Akiko Thompson, Billie Wilson, Miguel Molina, and Jessie Lacuna.
His last protegee Xiandi Chua recently broke the National record in the 400m Individual Medley (short course)in the 2024 Australian Short Course Championships with a time of 4:45.41 shuttering the old mark of 4L46.08 of Georgina Peregrina in the 2018 New Zealand Open.
Chua is also a SEA Games record holder in women’s 200-m backstroke (2023).
