PH achieves highest Asian Para Games finish behind chess team's five-gold haul on final day
2023-Oct-29 17:15
2024-Jul-15 01:48
HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH. The Philippines reached the top 10 of the Asian Para Games for the first time in its four participations after garnering 10 golds, four silvers, and five bronzes in Hangzhou, China. PHOTO: Philippine Sports Commission/Facebook
The Philippine para chess team delivered five golds on the last day of the 4th Asian Para Games to help the Southeast Asian side breach the top 10 of the medal tally for the first time on Saturday, October 28.
The nationals finished ninth with 10 gold, four silver, and five bronze medals for their highest finish in the continental tiff held since 2010.
"Absolutely amazing. This is what you reap with hard work and proper preparations," Philippine Paralympic Committee President Mike Barredo said.
Para woodpushers led the way for the Philippines to surpass its 11th-place finish five years ago in the Jakarta 2018 meet.
National Master (NM) Darry Bernardo reigned in the men's individual rapid VI-B2/B3 while bagging the team title, alongside Menandro Redor and Arman Subaste.
Bagging three golds apiece, Bernardo and Redor are the most successful Filipino bets in the quadrennial meet for differently abled athletes.
In the women's rapid PI, Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza ruled the individual tilt for her second gold after reigning in the standard tournament.
Teaming up with Cheryl Angot and Jean Lee Nacita, Mendoza clinched the team rapid PI crown. The trio also bagged a bronze in the standard festivities.
Veteran Henry Roger Lopez topped the men's individual rapid PI as he, Sander Severino, and Jasper Rom emerged champions of the team event.
"This was my best performance in the Asian Para Games. All of our hard work and sacrifice paid off. This was a team effort," said Lopez, who finished the Hangzhou Para Asiad with two golds.
The Philippine chess team accounted for the SEA country's eight of 10 golds, with the other two coming from Ernie Gawilan (men's 400-meter freestyle S7) and Jerrold Mangliwan (men's 400-meter T52).
They also churned out three silvers and two bronzes for a total of 13 medals as the 70-strong Filipino contingent still secured ninth place amid a fewer tally.
Filipino para athletes matched the 10-gold loot in Jakarta but produced less. In 2018, the Philippines had eight silvers and 11 bronzes for 29 medals.
Host China continued its dominance after claiming its fourth overall championship with 214 golds, 167 silvers, and 140 bronzes.
Iran wound up second with 44 golds, 46 silvers, and 41 bronzes, while Japan placed third with 42 gold, 49 silver, and 59 bronze medals.