Filipino Paralympians to pay courtesy call at Malacañang

Filipino para athletes who saw action in the recently-concluded 2024 Paris Paralympics are set for a courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. leading the welcome event.

The heroes' welcome is set on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., two days after the six-man delegation arrives from the quadrennial sporting event.

"Our President is very supportive who acknowledges and recognizes the efforts of our athletes,’’ said Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo.

"Our para athletes did their best at the Paris Paralympics but fell short of reaching the podium. We are proud of their valiant efforts, nonetheless. Now, it is time to return to the drawing board and establish a clear para sports pathway, from grassroots participation—especially among the youth and women—up to the elite level.”

The delegation is composed of para archer Agustina Bantiloc, para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin, para wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, para javelin thrower Cendy Asusano and para swimmers Angel Otom and Ernie Gawilan.

The Philippines was unable to bag a single medal but the six athletes put up a gallant stand with Asusano falling just short of a podium after ending up at fourth spot in women's javelin throw - F54 event last Saturday.

Several Filipino bets also reached the finals with Otom reaching the finals twice in the 50m butterfly - S5  and 50m backstroke while Gawilan managed to book a finals spot at the men's 400m freestyle S7.

Ganapin also had a brave campaign after outclassing Hadi Hassanzada of the Refugee Paralympic Team in the Round of 32 of men's K44 -80kg before bowing out after a loss to Azerbaijan's Abulfaz Abuzarli in the next round.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News