5 AWDs book Paralympic tickets

Andy Avellana from Philippines competes in the men’s high jump F42 classification final during the athletics competition at the 2012 Paralympics, Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, in London. AP

DESPITE their physical limitations, five athletes with disabilities (AWDs) have now qualified to the 2016 Paralympics.

Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta made it to the Sept. 7 to 18 Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, along with swimmer Ernie Gawilan, Josephine Medina (table tennis), trackster Jerrold Peter Mangliwan and long-jumper Andy Avellana.

Michael Barredo, president of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada), said most of them were discovered during the annual national para games.

Mangliwan claimed two gold medals in the men’s 100m and 200m dash while Medina ruled the women’s singles Class 7-8 during the Asean Para Games in Singapore last year.

Barredo said more AWDs would be identified in the coming 5th Philspada National Para Games on March 28 at Marikina Sports Center.