Veteran internationalists Adeline-Dumapong Ancheta in powerlifting and Josephine Medina in table tennis lead a 57 strong delegation of Filipino para-athletes competing in 8 of 10 events to be contested in the Asian Para Games in Indonesia starting Oct. 13.
The 44-year-old Ancheta, the first Filipino athlete to win a medal in the Paralympics where she bagged a bronze in the 2000 event in Sydney, Australia, is also coming from another bronze-medal finish at the recent World Para Powerlifting Asia-Oceania Open Championship in Fukuoka, Japan.
“It’s hard to predict because China and Korea will also be there in Indonesia, but I will try my best to duplicate my finish in Sydney. What is good now is that there are a lot more para-athletes being sent unlike before that you can count in one hand those who will be sent,” replied Ancheta when asked how she would do in the coming event.
Ancheta has also dominated the ASEAN para powerlifting scene the past years.
She also added that this is the best-prepared para team ever because of the sustained support they received from the Philippine Sports Commission.
“I believe a lot of athletes will be able to surpass their personal best records in Indonesia, this will be the measurement for us for the support we received,” she said.
“My dream is to reach my 6th Paralympics, the next one is in Japan in 2020,” she added.
On the other hand, Medina, 48, was more definite in her goal.
“A bronze medal at least. Competition here will be tough because of China primarily, but I will give it my best shot for sure. I just wish I had a longer time to train with my coach. Mga two months lang kami together though I have been training throughout the year,” she said.
Straight from Indonesia with just a day’s break, Medina is proceeding to Slovenia, where she qualified to the World Singles Para Table Tennis Championships.
Aside from powerlifting and table tennis, Filipino para-athletes will also be entered in archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, judo, swimming, and tenpin bowling.
Chef de mission is Kiko Diaz, who was at the sendoff party for the athletes, together with PHILSPADA and Philippine Paralympics President Mike Barredo and PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey.