Ganapin secures Paris Paralympics slot

Taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin became the third member of the country’s Paris Paralympics team after getting a slot via the Asian Qualification Tournament Sunday in Tai’an City, China.

Ganapin, 25, defeated Sandeep Singh Maan of India in the final in the men’s K44 -80 kilogram for the lone spot for the Paralympic Games, which begins on 28 August.

This is Ganapin’s second straight Paralympics stint after making it to Tokyo in 2021.

He is set to make up for his disastrous Tokyo stint after he was disqualified after testing positive for Covid-19.

Ganapin joins swimmers Angel Otom and Ernie Gawilan as the Philippine Paralympic delegation is on the verge of equalling the four-man group in Tokyo.

The Marikina City native was the lone bright spot in the Philippines campaign as no Filipino jin made the grade for the Paris Olympics.

Tokyo Games participant Kurt Barbosa fell short of a return bid after losing to Samirkhon Ababakirov of Kazakhstan in the semifinal of the men’s -58-kilogram division while Baby Jessica Canabal also fell in the women’s -57-kg semifinal after losing to Laetitia Aoun of Lebanon.

Both contestants were able to take home bronze medals after Barbosa defeated Raid Hamdi of Saudi Arabia and Canabal prevailed over Julie Mam of Cambodia in their respective weight categories.

Also failing to make the Olympic grade is Arven Alcantara after losing to Ali Reza Abbasi of Afghanistan in the quarterfinal of men’s -68-kilogram while Tachiana Keizha Mangin also flubbed her bid in the women’s -57 kg after fading away in the semifinal round after falling short against Saudi Arabian Dunya Abutaleb.