Philippines eyes 27 golds in ASEAN ParaGames

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ differently-abled athletes leave for the ASEAN Para Games today, upbeat of their chances to meet their target of at least 27 gold medals when the event is held Sept. 17-23 in Kuala Lumpur.

“We’re looking to win 27 gold medals, perhaps more,” said Phl chef de mission Ral Rosario in Monday night’s sendoff at the Dads Restaurant in Edsa, Mandaluyong.

The Phl took home 16 golds the last time the biennial meet was held in Singapore.

Commissioners Celia Kiram and Arnold Agustin also graced the sendoff rites along with newly formed Phl Paralympics Committee president Mike Barredo and vice president Tom Carrasco to boost the delegation’s morale.

Nikko Huelgas and Claire Adorna, who finished 1-2 in recent SEA Games triathlon, also attended the event and gave the athletes inspirational messages.

The chessers will lead the Phl campaign as they seek seven golds, one more than their six-gold haul in the Singapore Para Games.

Chesser Minandro Ridor, who won four golds in the visually impaired 2 division, is the country’s flag-bearer.

“Representing the country is already a proud accomplishment for me, being the flag-bearer made me even prouder,” said Ridor.

Wheelchair-bound FIDE Master Sander Severino and Henry Lopez are also part of the chess squad with the duo eyeing a sweep of the individual and team events of standard and rapid.

Paralympics veteran Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta of powerlifting and Josephine Medina of table tennis are also expected to strike gold in the seven-day meet.

Dumapong-Ancheta made history by becoming the country’s first medal winner in the Paralympics with a bronze in the 2000 Sydney Games while Medina also bagged a bronze in Rio de Janerio, Brazil last year.

The country is fielding in athletes in athletics (nine), badminton (seven), boccia (three), chess (17), cycling (three), goal ball (six), powerlifting (five), table tennis (nine), swimming (10), tenpin bowling (15) and wheelchair basketball (12).