Rikki Melencio receives the gold medal and certificate from PSC Commissioner Bong Coo.
SWIMMER Carl Hilario and thrower Arvin Dialino just crowned themselves as the first triple gold medalists even as raising star Richelle Maleeka ‘Rikki’ Melencio shines in another stage on Tuesday at the 8th Philippine National Para Games.
The 18-year-old Hilario from Aklan ruled the men’s 200-meter freestyle and 100m butterfly S14 at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, just a day after striking gold in the 100m freestyle, boosting his chance of securing a slot in the para national team.
“Palagi kaming sumasali sa mga local tournaments pero first time namin dito (sa PNPG). Swerte naman at nakapanalo kami ng tatlong golds,’’ said Hilario’s coach Allan Gomez.
S14 swimmers such as Hilario suffered an intellectual impairment with difficulty in pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory as well as a slower reaction at times.
Hilario finished the 200m free in two minutes and 31.80 seconds after finishing the 100m fly in 1:21.31 on the second-day action in the five-day meet organized by the Philippine Paralympic Committee in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Dialino, 38, on the other hand, bagged his third gold medal after topping the men’s shot put F40/F41 class over at the Philsports track and field oval.
The pride of Antipolo City, Dialino threw the metal sphere to 5.22 meters in defeating Pangasinan’s Manolito Parica (4.41m) and Baguio’s Ronald Lacuata (2.93m).
Meanwhile, Justine Oliveros secured a pair of golds in the men’s 100m butterfly S8-9-10 in one minute and 42.59 seconds and 400m freestyle S8-9-10 (6:20.73).
The 19-year-old Melencio, likewise, joined the podium finisher with victory in the women's 100m butterfly S12 & S13 (Vision Impairment) clocking 1:14.51.
Melencio, who was born Myopic and also suffering from astigmatism which makes her ‘legally blind', is chasing a dream to become a competitive swimmer in both regular and para competitions.
“Despite her visual impairment, Rikki has proven that even if you’re legally blind, it’s possible to climb to the top of your sport, receive a scholarship, and reach your goals even if you compete against fully abled athletes,” said Melencio’s father.
Melencio is a consistent champion in local swimming (regular) competitions and a member of the Philippine Team twice that participated in the SEA Age Group Championships
