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

In photo: Angel Mae Otom during the Heat 2 of Women’s 50m Backstroke S5 of the Paralympics 2024 in Paris. –PSC PHOTO

PARIS—Vigorously expending all her might, Angel Mae Otom seemed headed for a spectacular finish until she slowed down in the final stretch of the race at the 17th Paralympic Games.

“It’s a missed opportunity, a bad swim,’’ said Otom in Filipino after missing out on a medal in the women’s 50-meter backstroke S5 event on Tuesday at the sellout La Defense Arena here.

Quickly picking up speed as soon as she bolted out of the blocks, the 21-year-old Paralympics rookie chased down eventual gold medalist Lu Dong and silver winner He Shenggao of China three-fourths of the way before decelerating near the finish.

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Lu reached the wall in 37.51 seconds, leading a medal sweep for the Chinese with He (39.93) and Liu Yu (42.37)

“We have to do something with the way she finishes the race. We need to improve on that,’’ said national para swimming assistant coach Bryan Ong.

A overview shows (From L) The Philipines’ Angel Mae Otom, China’s Shenggao He and Turkey’s Sumeyye Boyaci competing in a heat of the Women’s 50m Backstroke S5 swimming event during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Paris La Defence Arena, in Nanterre, west of Paris, on September 3, 2024. (Photo by FranÁois-Xavier MARIT / AFP)

Liu overtook Otom in the last 10 meters with Turkey’s Sumeyye Boyaci (42.37) and Great Britain’s Tully Kearney (43.30) throwing themselves at the finish, leaving the Filipino para swim ace settling at sixth. Otom clocked 44 seconds flat.

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“I admit that it wasn’t a good performance, especially in the last 15 meters. Hopefully, I can swim better in my next event,’’ said Otom.

The reigning champion in the event at the Asean Para Games last year sees action on Sept. 6 where Otom aims to secure a medal in the 50m butterfly S5 category.

“There are things that we need to really work out. Anyway, Angel is young and this is certainly not her last competition. We’re looking forward to Friday,’’ said Ong.