By JOEL C. ESCOL, Managing Editor
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino para swimmers Angel Otom and Ernie Gawilan showcased their talents in the ongoing Paris Paralympics, with both athletes making impressive finishes in their respective events despite falling short of podium finishes.
Angel Otom, a 21-year-old swimmer from Olongapo, placed sixth in the women’s 50-meter backstroke S5 finals on Tuesday, September 3 (Wednesday, September 4, Manila time). Otom clocked in at exactly 44 seconds, trailing behind a dominant Chinese podium sweep. Lu Dong, the reigning world champion and world record holder, claimed gold with a 37.51-second finish, followed by He Shenggao (39.93 seconds) for silver, and Liu Yu (42.37 seconds) for bronze.
Otom had an impressive start, racing for third place in the first 25 meters. However, she faded in the second half, allowing Liu and others to overtake her. Despite missing out on a medal, Otom remained optimistic, expressing her contentment with reaching the finals, though she lamented her final stretch: “Masaya akong nandito pero sayang, sayang. Pangit yung last 15 meters ko (I’m happy that I’m here, but it was unfortunate. I didn’t swim well in the last 15 meters).”
Otom, born with no left arm and an underdeveloped right arm, previously secured a spot in the final after clocking 44.03 seconds in the heats. A seven-time ASEAN Para Games gold medalist, Otom will make another attempt at a Paralympic medal in the 50m butterfly on Thursday, September 5 (Friday, September 6, Manila time).
Meanwhile, veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan also placed sixth in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 final on Monday, September 2. Gawilan, who is competing in his third straight Paralympics, recorded a time of 5 minutes and 3.18 seconds, mirroring his sixth-place finish from the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. Italy’s Federico Bicelli took gold, while Ukraine’s Andrii Trusov and Argentina’s Iñaki Basiloff secured silver and bronze, respectively.
Although a Paralympic medal remains elusive for the Filipino swimmers, their determination and perseverance continue to inspire many. ###
