Thrower strikes gold

Kuala Lumpur—Cendy Asusano snatched the javelin throw gold to hand the Philippines its first victory even as cyclist Arthus Bucay pocketed his second silver in the 9th Asean Para Games at Bukit Jalil National Stadium here on Monday.

With the country’s gold prospect dimming, Asusano, 27, struck gold in javelin for F54 and F55 combined by heaving 13.04 meters, finishing ahead of compatriot Jesebel Tordecilla, who claimed the silver in 12.80m.

Bucay, who gave the country its first medal with an individual time trial silver on Sunday, bagged another one in the 4000 individual pursuit (C5) in 5:15.574, behind Malaysian Zuhaire Bin Ahmad Tarmizi, who took the gold in 5:06.968.

In swimming, Sunega Calizo and the relay team of Ernie Gawilan, Gary Bejino, Roland Sabido and Arnel Aba delivered a couple of bronze medals.

Making her international debut after just a year of learning the sport, Calizo, 18, splashed her way to a bronze in the 100m freestyle S14 by clocking 1 minute and 15.47 seconds.

Indonesia’s Syuci Indriani and Singapore’s Danielle Yan Ting Moi placed 1-2 in 1:05.15 and 1:07.20, respectively.

Gawilan, Bejino, Subido and Aba needed a late push to climb from sixth to third in 4:41.58.