Powerlifter, delegation head test positive but PH bets remain upbeat

Wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda are all set to showcase their skills in the Tokyo Paralympics. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Reaching the grandest stage for the world’s top-performing para athletes, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda are driven to excel in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

“Those who quit never win. That is why I will never give up,’’ said Mangliwan, the country’s flag-bearer during Tuesday night’s audience-free opening ceremony of these Games at Japan National Stadium.

On his second consecutive tour of duty in the Paralympics, Mangliwan will be looking to qualify for the finals of the T52 men’s 400-meter race during the preliminary heats scheduled early Friday.

“If you see the records of my opponents, you will conclude right away that they are strong. But I am also strong,’’ said Aceveda, a triple gold medalist in the 2013 Asean Para Games who perfected her throwing technique under coach Bernard Buen.

The first visually impaired Filipino athlete to play in these Games, Aceveda is scheduled to take the field on Aug. 31 in the F11 women’s discus throw finals, where she will throw blindfolded under the rules set by the International Paralympic Committee.

“This will be a battle of champions among the best para throwers in the world,’’ said the 50-year-old Aceveda, who suffered a degenerative disease at the age of 3 that has left the mother of three from Marikina City technically blind in both eyes.

Mangliwan, who was struck by polio at the age of two, will likewise race in the men’s 1500m on Saturday and the 100m sprint during the qualifying heats on Sept. 2.

“We have seen the clockings and the past performances of my rivals. I have a big chance in this event (400m). But first, my goal is to get to the finals,’’ said Mangliwan.

First to see action for Team Philippines is swimmer Gary Bejino on Thursday in the heats of the men’s 200m individual medley SM6.

Powerlifter Achele “Jinky’’ Guion was supposed to compete on the same day as Bejino, but had to stay home after testing positive for COVID-19 along with her coach, Antonio Taguibao.

“Jinky is deeply frustrated that she will not be able to compete in her powerlifting event for her country after training for so long, and especially getting much inspiration from Hidilyn Diaz, a powerlifter like herself and the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal,’’ said Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC)president Michael Barredo.

Chef de mission (CDM) Francis Diaz and para athletics coach Joel Deriada also tested positive and were left behind in Manila along with Guion and Taguibao.

Barredo, the head of delegation as PPC chief, took the cudgels from Diaz as CDM to implement tasks involving planning, logistics and communications, among others, for the team’s orderly navigation in the Games.

“Despite this most unfortunate development, all our para athletes remain in high spirits and committed to give their best possible performances for our country. We’ll continue the fight,’’ said Barredo.

Other Filipino para athletes participating are Asian Para Games triple-gold medalist Ernie Gawilan of swimming and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin. INQ