HANGZHOU—The Philippine chess squad started its bid in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games on a bright note following first-round triumphs in the men’s and women’s physically impaired classification at the Hangzhou Qi-Yuan Chess Hall here.
Leading the way was FIDE Master Sander Severino, who beat Sundui Sonom of Mongolia, while Henry Roger Lopez and Jasper Rom followed suit with victories over Thailand’s Padu Srikpadee and Yoo Khoonme, respectively.
The Filipina squad also started strong with Cheyzer Cristal Mendoza winning over Indonesia’s Yuni, Cheryl Angot over Kyrgyzstan’s Dariaa Kuraidanarova and Jean Lee-Nacita against China’s Zhang Yue in the women’s division.
The men’s and women’s visually impaired (B1 and B2) bets both posted 2-1 win-loss records in their first-round matches in their stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
In swimming, Tokyo Paralympic veteran Gary Bejino advanced to the finals of the men’s 100-meter S6 Monday after winding up fourth overall among the eight qualifiers with a time of one minute and 12.61 seconds at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena.
A double gold medalist in the last Cambodia ASEAN Para Games, Bejino finished a close second in the first heat, behind China’s Tang Qian (1:12.6) and was No. 4 behind Tang and two other hometown bets, Luo Jinbiao (1:09.80) and Jia Hongguang (1:12.11), who were 1-2, respectively.
The Pinoy tanker, who lost his right arm and left leg after being electrocuted at the age of seven, will be racing in lane 4 in the finals of the event scheduled at 7:20 p.m. preceding the men’s 200-meter individual medley S7 finals featuring compatriot and defending champion Ernie Gawilan.
Likewise appearing after Gawilan’s race 200-meters is Edwin Villanueva, who went straight to the 200-meter individual SM8 finals
Lacking enough time to warm up prior to her competition, Jesebel Tordecilla ended up in 10th place in the women’s javelin throw F56 classification at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium here.
Seeing action for the first time at Para Games’ Asian level, Tordecilla made her best throw of 12.88 meters in her fifth attempt.
“‘Di pa ako nakapag-warmup tapos nakita ko na lang paglabas sa dugout nandu’n na ‘yung throwing chair ako. ‘Di pa nakapag-iinit wala pa ‘yung adrenaline ko. Bitin po,”said Tordecilla. Randy Caluag
Iran’s Motaghian Moavi Hashemiyeh and Moradi Rashnou Zeinab made a 1-2 finish for the gold and silver, while China’s Lin Sitong took the bronze in the event.
The Philippine athletics’ bets go in full swing as five bets, led by Cambodia SEA Games double gold medalist Jerrold Pete Mangliwan, plunge into action today (Tuesday) in their final events.
Mangliwan will compete in the men’s 100m T52, Andrei Kuizon in the men’s discus throw F54/55/56, followed by Cendy Asusano (women’s shot put F56), King James Reyes (men’s 1,500 T46) and Ronn-Russel Mitra (men’s 400m T20)
Mitra will also see action in the qualifying heat of the men’s 400m T20.
In table tennis, Gaelo Benedicto absorbed a three-set defeat, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5, Hong Kong’s Ho Ka Sing in the Men’s Singles – Class 9 – Group E Match 1; Linard Sultan bowed to Chee Chaoming of Malaysia, 3-1, in the Men’s Singles – Class 9 – Group D and Racleo Martinez got swept by China’s Shi Yanping, 3-0, in the Men’s Singles class 4.
