Another member of Team Pilipinas will no longer see action in the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, no thanks to the dreaded coronavirus.
Taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin is not competing anymore after testing positive for COVID-19, the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) said Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that our para-taekwondo Jin Allain Ganapin, the first Filipino para-athlete to secure a slot for para-taekwondo in the Tokyo Paralympics, tested positive for COVID-19,” it said.
“Consequently, he would not be able to leave for Japan due to quarantine restrictions,” the committee furthered.
Ganapin, who qualified in the 16th Paralympiad after being granted a bi-partite invitation, was supposed to fight in the men’s K44 -75-kilogram division.
“Allain is upset in missing this opportunity, but prays that this challenge will strengthen his resolve in his later competitions,” said the PPC.
The 23-year-old is now the third Filipino para-athlete to miss the Games due to the virus, next to lifter Achelle Guion and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda.
With this, only half of the Philippine team played in Tokyo, namely wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino.
“The present pandemic has created so many obstacles for our para-athletes,” the PPC lamented. “The virus has been unforgiving and denied them the chance to bring glory and honor to the Philippines.
“However, this will not affect their strong resolve and will continue to push forward in the pursuit of their dreams.”
