NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – Angel Otom currently holds the title of bemedalled Filipino athlete in the 13th ASEAN Para Games after dominating the women’s 50-meter freestyle S4-S5 event here at the 80th Birthday Aquatics Center on Saturday.
With a time of 44.51 seconds, the 22-year-old swimmer won her fifth gold medal and her sixth medal overall in this prestigious tournament in differently abled bodies.
The 2024 Paris Paralympian is happy to surpass her previous best of four golds and one silver medal in the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia in 2023.
“It was very fulfilling kasi nakuha ko five golds sa five individual events ko and one silver sa relay namin sa 4x50 freestyle,” Otom said.
“Noong ASEAN Para Games sa Cambodia, hindi ko nakuha fifth gold ko kasi parang feel ko hindi pa ako ready.”
Gary Bejino clinched his third gold medal after clocking in 33.23 seconds in the men’s 50-meter freestyle S6 event while Marco Tinamisan conquered the men’s 50m freestyle S3 with 52.13 seconds.
In chess, Sander Severino and Darry Bernardo led the Filipino woodpushers to grab four gold medals in the Standard Time Control category at the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.
Severino, a FIDE Master, tallied 5.5 points to rule in the men’s individual PI event before joining forces with Jasper Rom at Henry Roger Lopez for the men’s team PI mint.
The 25-year-old Bernardo struck gold in the B2 men’s division and won the team B2 event with Arman Subaste at Menandro Redor.
More gold medals are expected on the final day of competition on Sunday, as the Philippines is on the verge of breaching the 30-gold-medal mark with 28 at press time.
