Powerlifter Achele Guion. PSC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Powerlifter Achele Guion has just increased the medal chances of the Philippines after securing her spot in the coming Tokyo Paralympics.
It will be the second stint of the three-time Asian Para Games powerlifting silver medalist in the Paralympics where she qualified via bi-partite approval in global quadrennial meet set Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.
“I just want to share the great news that she (Guion) became our sixth para-athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Her bi-partite approval came out last night (Tuesday),’’ said Team Philippines chef de mission Francis Diaz.
The 29-year-old Guion, whose impairment was caused by polio during childhood, brought home a silver medal from the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China and duplicated the feat in 2014 Incheon, South Korea and 2018 Jakarta.
Congratulations para powerlifter Achele Guion for qualifiying to the Tokyo @Paralympics!
We are proud of you!#GalingngAtletangPilipino#IAmSportsPositive#parasainangbayan🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/gJJKlnsB1H
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) July 14, 2021
At the 2012 London Paralympics, Guion placed sixth in the women’s -44kgs category. The business management student from Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City likewise saw action in the 2017 World Championships in Mexico.
“We’re hoping that there will be more qualifiers over the next couple weeks. We thank the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) for its all-out support in helping our para athletes qualify,’’ said Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo.
Guion will accompany swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin and track and field’s Janette Acevedo and Jerrold Mangliwan in their quest to win the country’s first Paralympics gold medal in Tokyo.