Defying Limits: The Indomitable Spirit of Filipino Paralympians in Paris 2024

Filipino athletes showcased their talents and grit across multiple sports in the midst of the fierce global competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.  From August 28 to September 8, 2024, six Filipino para-athletes competed in wheelchair racing, javelin throw, swimming, archery, and taekwondo. Paralympians Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, Agustina Bantiloc, Ernie Gawilan, Angel Otom, and Allain Ganapin represented the Philippines with pride despite not securing medals in the international event.

Para Athletics: Wheelchair Racing and Javelin Throw

Veteran Filipino wheelchair racer Jerrold Pete Macabio Mangliwan clinched a spot in the finals by placing fourth in the first round of the Men's 400m T52 event; however, despite a strong effort, the 44-year-old only finished in 6th place with the time of 1:04:55 minutes in the final event.

Mangliwan also competed in the men’s 100m T52 on September 6, but unfortunately, his campaign ended abruptly as he placed sixth in his heat, clocking in at 19.44 seconds.

In the Women’s Javelin Throw F54, Cendy Lovendino Asusano delivered a commendable performance at the Stade de France on September 7. Asusano narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with a personal-best throw of  15.05 meters. The 2017 ASEAN Para Games gold medalist expressed her pride in achieving a new personal best, reflecting her continuous improvement and love for her sport.

Para Swimming
Para swimmer Ernie Agat Gawilan closed out his third consecutive Paralympic appearance with notable performances. Competing in the Men’s 400m freestyle, Gawilan finished sixth in the final at 5:03.18 minutes—replicating his finish in the same event at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. His journey to the finals also saw a marvelous performance in the second heat, where he clocked 5:00.13 minutes, earning him a first-place finish and securing him a spot in the final. The 33-year-old also competed in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7 where he yet again placed sixth with a time of 2:56.39 minutes.

Meanwhile,  Angel Mae Otom wrapped up her impressive Paralympic campaign with a fifth-place finish in the women’s 50m butterfly S5 and a sixth-place conclusion in the 50m backstroke S5. Otom made a record time of 45.78 seconds and 44.00 seconds respectively, showcasing her competitive nature on the biggest stage in the world.

Para Archery

 Para archer Agustina Maximo Bantiloc capped off her journey after facing a tough challenge in the women's individual compound event. Bantiloc was eliminated in the first round of the round of 16 after an unfortunate loss to Brazil’s Jane Karla Gogel, who is ranked third in the Paralympic world. Despite her valiant efforts, Bantiloc was unable to advance any further, concluding her campaign in 28th place with 618 points.

Para Taekwondo

In Para Taekwondo, Allain Keanu Ganapin dispatched a resolute effort in the men’s K44 -80kg division. Ganapin started strong with a comeback victory against Afghan Hadi Hassanzada of the Refugee Paralympic Team. He displayed his dominance by winning 22-13 against his opponent. Despite his impressive victory in the round of 32, Ganapin bowed out in the subsequent rounds—losing to Abulfaz Abuzarli of Azerbaijan. 

Resilient to the End

Although the 6-member Philippine team ended its Paralympic campaign without a podium finish, their performances highlighted the resilience, dedication, and indomitable spirit of Filipino athletes. Each para-athlete’s journey not only showcased their love for the sport but also their ability to overcome obstacles, inspiring countless Filipino people with disabilities to pursue their dreams.