Paralympics 2024: Otom conquers anxiety, swims to personal best

FILE–Angel Mae Otom during Heat 2 of the women’s 50m backstroke S5 at the Paralympics 2024 in Paris.–PSC PHOTO

PARIS—Angel Mae Otom normally gets consumed by a sudden feeling of disabling anxiety prior to navigating her way to the starting blocks.

She gladly conquered the recurring restlessness in every competition and reached a personal best in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5 final on Friday evening in the 17th Paralympic Games.

“I usually experience panic attacks at the call area. I become stiff and my body feels numb. I’m glad I was able to overcome the anxiety,” said Otom after placing fifth during the medal race in 45.78 seconds.

READ: Paralympics 2024: Angel Otom wants consistency ahead of butterfly final

The sellout crowd at the La Defense Arena, where the swimming competitions are held, roared in approval after China’s Lu Dong picked up her second gold medal in record-breaking fashion with a time of 38.17 seconds.

He Shenggao, the previous world standard holder, settled for the silver in 38.98 and Turkey’s Sevilay Ozturk prevented what could have been another Chinese sweep in the event by completing the podium in 43.70.

Otom, hands-down the best performing Filipino Paralympian here after two final appearances, seemed headed for a medal finish, charging behind Lu and He in the first 35 meters.

But the 21-year-old pride of Olongapo City got caught by the fiercely chasing duo of Ozturk and China’s Cheng Jiao the rest of the way, ending up short upon reaching the wall.

READ: Paralympics 2024: Angel Otom rues ‘bad swim’ in missed medal race

“Well, Angel gave her best effort and really maintained her speed from start to finish,” said deputy national para swimming coach Bryan Ong.

Otom, a third-year student at the UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics, likewise made it to the medal race of the 50m backstroke and also landed fifth behind the world champion Lu.

According to Ong, he usually provides Otom an antacid once the panic attack hits at the call area.

“I’ve learned so much competing with the best para swimmers in the world,” said Otom, who listened to a song of prayer that calmed her before the competition, wiping out all her worries.