PARALYMPIC standouts Cendy Asusano and Jerrold Mangliwan powered the Philippines to an impressive campaign at the 2025 New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix in India, securing five gold medals for Team Philippines, along with six silvers and four bronzes.
Asusano delivered a stellar performance, sweeping all her events, including the Women’s Javelin Throw F53, F54, F56, the Discus Throw F54, and the Shot Put F54.
Meanwhile, Mangliwan dominated the track, winning gold in the Men’s 400m T52, T53, T54, and 800m T52, T53, T54. He also claimed silver in the Men’s 1500m T52, T53, T54, and 100m T52, T53, T54.
The 34-year-old Asusano, a wheelchair thrower, kicked off her campaign with a gold medal in the Women’s Shot Put F54, recording a 5.91m throw to outclass India’s Keerthika Jayachandran, who registered 5.46m.
Her fellow Filipina Marites Burce managed 4.73m.
Asusano followed it up with another gold in the Women’s Javelin Throw F54, F56, recording 14.79m. Although India’s Fatima Khatoon posted a longer throw of 15.88m, the Raza point system, a World Para Athletics handicapping method, awarded the gold to Asusano due to her classification disadvantage.
The Philippines also secured several silver medals through Rosalie Torrefiel in the Women’s Discus Throw F11, Cyril Ongcoy in the Men’s 1500m T11, T12, and Arvie Arreglado in the Men’s 100m T47.
Marites Burce contributed two silver medals in the Women’s Discus Throw F54 and Women’s Shot Put F54.
Meanwhile, Maekel Lita added a bronze in the Men’s Discus Throw F56, F57, while King James Reyes secured a bronze in the Men’s 1500m T46.
Other members of the Philippine squad included Jesebel Tordecilla, Ronn Russel Mitra, Jolan Camacho, Evaristo Carbonel, and Christian Ebrahim Asis.
They were joined by Philspada Secretary General Goody Custodio, head coach Joel Deriada, and assistant coaches Bernard Buen, Ernie Candelario, and Pacifico Tolentino.