MANILA, Philippines – Para archer Agustina Bantiloc kicks things off for the Philippines’ six-strong delegation as the Paris Paralympics comes off the wraps.
The first Filipino para archer to see action in the global showdown for differently abled athletes, Bantiloc starts her campaign on Thursday, August 29, in the ranking round of the women’s individual compound open.
Bantiloc, the oldest member of Team Philippines at 56 years old, sees action a day after sharing the flag-bearing duties with para swimmer Ernie Gawilan in the opening ceremony.
Gawilan and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan lead the “Sensational Six” as they take part in the Paralympics for the third straight edition, with the rest of the squad debuting in the quadrennial showpiece.
Mangliwan opens his bid on Friday, August 30, in the men’s 400m T52 heats, while Gawilan gets it going on Saturday, August 31, in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7 heats.
Para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin also competes on Saturday in the men’s K44 -80kg class as he finally debuts in the Paralympics three years since he got ruled out from the previous edition after he tested positive for coronavirus.
Ganapin battles Refugee Paralympic Team’s Hadi Hassanzada in the round of 32.
Para swimmer Angel Otom begins her quest on Tuesday, September 3, in the women’s 50m backstroke S5 heats, while Cendy Asusano is the last to see action on Saturday, September 7, in the women’s javelin throw F54 final.
Inspired by Team Philippines’ all-time best run in the Paris Olympics, the six aim to follow in the footsteps of para power lifter Adeline Dumapong (2000 Sydney) and para table tennis player Josephine Medina (2016 Rio de Janeiro), who each won a bronze for the country.
“We pray that the success of our Olympians in Paris just two weeks ago will rub off and inspire our athletes to excel more than ever before,” Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo said in a statement.
The Philippines sent its biggest Paralympic delegation since nine para athletes represented the country in the 2012 London edition.
Six also qualified for the 2020 Tokyo staging, but only three competed as Ganapin, para discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda, and para powerlifter Achelle Guion tested positive for coronavirus. – Rappler.com
