Paulino strikes first gold in PH National Para Games
PSC Commissioners Fritz Gaston (left) and Edward Hayco with Para athletes medalists.
PARA swimmer Christian Benedict Paulino claimed the first gold medal on Monday at the 8th Philippine National Para Games at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex swimming pool.
The 20-year-old representing Quezon City ruled the men’s 400m freestyle S6-S7 in six minutes and 55.61 seconds, defeating Cadiz City’s Zach Lucas Osioma, who clocked 8:27.50 in the meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“First time ko po manalo sa National Para Games. Masaya dahil gusto ko i-pursue ang dream ko na makasali sa Paralympics,’’ said Paulino, a swim instructor mostly for kids and senior citizens.
Paulino shares the same disability as his idol, three-time Paralympian Ernie Gawilan, with underdeveloped legs since birth.
“Gusto ko rin po marating ang na-accomplish ni kuya Ernie. Siya po ang idol ko,’’ said Paulino.
The 33-year-old Gawilan competed in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Paralympics Games.
The pride of Samal Island in Davao was also the first Filipino gold medalist in the Asian Para Games and won a total of four mints in the continental Games.
Over at the Philsports Track and Field Oval, middle-distance runner James Ang grabbed gold at about the same time as Paulino’s victory.
Ang, an 18-year-old Grade 10 student from Sta. Elena High School in Marikina City ruled the men’s 800m T20 event in 2:08.9.
Mark Jason Encina of Pasig City and Earl Justin Solis of Iloilo chased down Ang, but couldn’t catch up in their classification for para track and field athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Bea Roble of Cebu City topped the women’s 400m freestyle S6 and S7 in 8:15.73 in her return bid to the national team.
“Gusto ko na po mag-focus ngayon sa national team dahil naka-graduate na po ako,’’ said the 33-year-old Roble, who completed her Business Management degree.
Other gold medalists on the first day of the five-day competitions were Justine Oliveros of Laguna (men’s 400m freestyle S8, S9, S10) and Tokyo Paralympian Gary Bejino (men’s 50m butterfly S6 and S7).
