EQUALITY in Philippine sports took a significant step forward as para swimmer Angel Mae Otom was named the first-ever Para Athlete of the Year at the Women in Sports Awards 2026, placing athletes with disabilities on the same platform as their able-bodied counterparts.
The award, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the Philippine International Convention Center, marked the introduction of a dedicated category recognizing excellence in para sports — a move seen as a milestone in promoting inclusivity and equal recognition.
Otom, 22, who competes in the S5 classification due to a congenital upper limb deficiency, said the recognition was both an honor and a responsibility.
“This means na kailangang ipagpatuloy pa yung training, mag-focus at maging disciplined. Ito ‘yung purpose ko. Ginagawa ko po ito hindi lang para sa akin, kungdi para sa pamilya ko, para sa bansa natin, sa mga aspiring athletes at sa mga PWD,” she said in an interview with Sports Radio.
Her award followed a standout 2025 season in which she emerged as one of the country’s top para-athletes.
At the ASEAN Para Games 2025, Otom won five gold medals and one silver, ranking among the Philippines’ leading medal contributors.
She also set a new ASEAN Para Games record in the 100-meter backstroke (S4–S5) and captured gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m backstroke.
The creation of a separate Para Athlete of the Year category reflects growing efforts to elevate para-athletes alongside mainstream competitors, reinforcing a broader push for equality in Philippine sports.
In the same ceremony, the Philippine women’s national football team, known as the Filipinas, were named Athlete of the Year for elite athletes after winning their first Southeast Asian Games women’s football gold medal in Thailand.
