Paralympics 2024: Allain Ganapin wins first bout to enter round of 16

Team Philippines’ Allain Ganapin competing in the Paris Paralympics 2024 taekwondo event. –PARALYMPICS YOUTUBW

PARIS—Allain Ganapin hurdled the first obstacle in his quest for success on Saturday in the 17th Paralympic Games.

Chasing the enemy and trailing by a point in the first round, Ganapin reversed the trend and saw his turning side kicks made its way to the body of Hadi Hassanzada of the Refugee Paralympic Team to prevail, 22-13, before a supportive crowd at the iconic Grand Palais here.

“When my kicks began to hit the target, the momentum shifted in my favor,’’ said Ganapin, moving three bouts away from the podium and advancing to the round of 16 in the men’s -80kg K44 category.

READ: Paralympics 2024: Ganapin to make most of biggest chance by fighting pressure-free

Ganapin turned the tide with a turning kick early in the second round, gaining a two-point edge that he built on to arrange a round of 16 meeting with Abulfaz Aburzarli of Azerbaijan.

The 26-year-old para taekwondo ace from Marikina City fueled that advantage with three consecutive body kicks, 18-10, with a minute left before moving out of harm’s way in wasting the clock.

“I just stuck to the instruction of my coaches to use more front left kicks. It was open, so I took advantage,’’ said Ganapin, who is seeking redemption for a missed bid in the last Paralympics in Tokyo.

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He should have been in his second straight Paralympic Games. Ganapin was struck by the COVID-19 virus prior to his trip to the 2021 Tokyo edition of the quadrennial showpiece featuring the finest physically-challenged athletes in the world.

Ganapin, the first Filipino jin to qualify in these Games, absorbed another heart-breaker after his disqualification at the Asian Para Games last year in Hangzhou, China for hitting his opponent in the head.

“We are really preparing him for four matches. Apart from his technique, we’re also focusing on his recovery in every fight,’’ said coach Gershon Bautista.

They brought along para taekwondo coach August dela Cruz, designated as Ganapin’s sparring partner in his campaign backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.