Taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin qualifies for Tokyo Paralympics
MANILA, Philippines–Taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin made history by becoming the first Filipino para athlete in the sport to secure a slot in the coming Tokyo Paralympics.
World Taekwondo formally sent Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo on Tuesday a letter confirming that Ganapin has been rewarded a bi-partite invitation to the Paralympics on Aug. 24-Sept. 5.
“We are happy to announce Ganapin’s qualification to the Paralympics. We thank World Taekwondo for the opportunity,’” said Barredo, who was unanimously named recently as vice president of the Asian Paralympic Committee.
Ganapin, who will be entered in the men’s K44 – 75kg division, saw action in the Asian Taekwondo Paralympic Qualification Tournament two weeks ago in Amman, Jordan where he claimed a bronze medal.
Congratulations Allain Ganapin for qualifying to the Tokyo 2020 @Paralympics!
Mabuhay ang galing ng #AtletangPilipino! 🇵🇭#IAmSportsPositive#parainangbayan pic.twitter.com/SHtKuBDlwT
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) June 8, 2021
It will be the first time that taekwondo will be played in the Paralympics.
Ganapin joins Asian Para Games champion swimmer Ernie Gawilan as qualifiers for the Paralympics.
Gawilan, a triple gold medalist in the 2018 APG held in Indonesia, will formalize his Paralympic campaign in a classification race later this month in Germany.
Paralympics bronze medalist Josephine Medina of table tennis is likewise expected to qualify, but there’s no formal announcement yet.
