FILE – Jerrol Mangliwan.–PSC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Jerrold Mangliwan seized the first silver medal for the Philippines in a sharp-witted tactical race on Tuesday in the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
Comfortably settled on the outside lane, Mangliwan sped ahead in the final 30 meters and flashed past Jeon Jeongdae of South Korea to place second in the men’s 100m T52 finale at the Huanglong Sports Stadium oval.
The double-gold performer in the Asean Para Games in Cambodia early this year added the silver after posting a personal best of 18.65 seconds.
Japan’s Ito Tatsuya surged to the finish with a new meet record of 17.41 seconds for the gold while Jeon’s 18.67 was good for bronze.
It was Mangliwan’s first podium performance in the continental tournament where Filipino para athletes are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission following a fourth-place finish in 2018 Indonesia.
“I’m thankful for another opportunity like this. All the hard work with my coaches bore fruit,” said Mangliwan in Filipino who trained with coaches Joel Deriada and Bernard Ebuen.
The Tokyo Paralympian dedicated his race to Handsome Magdiwang, Mangliwan’s cousin who figured in an accident back home.
Mangliwan is aiming for another medal in the men’s 400m T52 set later this week.
Team Philippines now owns a silver and a pair of bronze medals in swimming courtesy of Tokyo Paralympians Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan.