After predecessors’ success, PH paralympians feel pressure
Six differently-abled national athletes are taking center stage this time when they compete in the Tokyo Paralympics scheduled Aug. 24 to
Sept. 5.
The small but lean PH team is composed of Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino (para swimming), Allain Ganapin (para taekwondo), Jeanette Aceveda and Jerrold Mangliwan (para athletics) and Achelle Guion (para powerlifting).
Mangliwan has been designated team flag-bearer in the opening ceremony in the pandemic-delayed quadrennial event that draws around 4,000 athletes across the world. “We have committed to supporting our athletes as much as we can. This is true for both regular and para teams,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez.
“We are looking forward to our Paralympians carrying the flag for the country in Tokyo. We are behind you and with you. Good luck.”
This year’s Paralympics will feature 540 events in 22 sports with the Philippines competing in only four disciplines.
Gawilan, who is in his second Paralympics stint, hopes the team will deliver the same achievement as the PH delegation to the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics where it won one gold, two silvers and one bronze medal.
“May pressure din po sa amin dahil nga kami po ang susunod na lalahok,” Gawilan told Manila Bulletin.
The country has so far won a total of two bronze medals since joining the Paralympics in 1988 Seoul: from para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong at the 2000 Sydney and para table tennis player Josephine Medina at the 2016 Rio edition.
The team will leave for Tokyo on Aug. 22.