Filipino para archer Agustina Bantiloc ahead of her debut in the Paris Paralympics 2024 competition. –JUNE NAVARRO/INQUIRER
PARIS—Para archer Agustina Bantiloc saw her medal hopes fritter away after dropping her match in the women’s individual compound open on Friday in the 17th Paralympic Games.
Brazil’s Jane Gogel showed Bantiloc the door by scoring 143 points in the 15-arrow round of 16 event at the rain-soaked Les Invalides archery range.
Bantiloc, the first Filipino archer in these Games, compiled 127 points after a shaky start.
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The 56-year-old mother of three from Baguio City tallied 25 in the first of five ends compared to the Brazilian’s 29 highlighted by a pair of bullseye.
Five Filipino Paralympians, however, are still in contention—wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, javelin thrower Cendy Asusano, taekwondo’s Allain Ganapin and swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom.
“On behalf of the Philippine Paralympic Committee, we thank President Marcos for his message that continues to motivate our athletes and the Philippine Sports Commission for its all-out support,’’ said PPC president Michael Barredo.
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President Marcos, in his message to the Paralympians on Thursday night, said they are already considered champions even before they went to the competitions.
Gogel, seeded fifth after the qualification ranking on Thursday, was consistent over the next four ends with identical outputs of 29 prior to wrapping up her dominance in the last three arrows.
As for Bantiloc, she only punctured the bullseye twice in contrast to Gogel’s eight perfect hits.