Ariel Joseph Alegarbes delivered a standout performance in the pool, capturing the Philippines’ second gold medal in the 5th Asian Para Games after ruling the men’s 100-meter backstroke S14 on Tuesday at the Rainbow Pool of the Nagoya City General Gymnasium.
The 21-year-old swimmer from Victorias City, Negros Occidental, clocked 1:01.56 to claim the title, narrowly defeating South Korea’s Kang Sungho, who finished in 1:01.61. Thailand’s Natirat Meeprom, the fastest qualifier in the morning heats, settled for bronze in 1:02.08.
Alegarbes entered the final with the second-fastest qualifying time but rose to the occasion when it mattered most, adding another golden moment to the Philippine delegation’s campaign.
Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, Alegarbes delivered the country’s second gold of the competition, following Ernie Gawilan’s victory in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 on Monday.
The Philippines also has a bronze medal courtesy of Raemond Adefuin in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB6, bringing its overall haul to three medals.
Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo expressed hope that the swimming team’s success would encourage other Filipino athletes to pursue podium finishes in the remaining events.
“Well, again, it inspires and motivates the others to do the same, di ba?” Barredo said, describing the gold medalists as providing their teammates with a “pathway to gold.”
“And I’m sure others, maybe in track and field tomorrow and the other events that we still have, will see that they have been successful and they will try for it themselves. They will follow that pathway to gold.”
Philippine chef de mission Francis Diaz also congratulated Alegarbes on his achievement.
“Pugay, Arjay Alegarbes, para sa ikalawang ginto ng Pilipinas sa 5th Asian Para Games. We are very proud of your achievement,” Diaz said.
The latest victory kept the Philippines in 14th place in the overall medal standings.
Elsewhere, the Filipino campaign encountered setbacks in archery and track cycling.
At the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square, Marzel Burgos, Augustina Bantiloc and Jannah Kate Ballesta all bowed out of their respective individual events.
Burgos lost to China’s Ai Xinliang, 147-142, in the men’s compound elimination round, while Bantiloc fell to China’s Zhao Jing, 147-135, in the women’s compound. Ballesta suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to South Korea’s Kim Okgeum.
Burgos and Bantiloc nearly salvaged a victory in the mixed compound event but came up short against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yun Hsien and Yang Jyun Kai, losing 148-147.
In track cycling at the Izu Velodrome, Nikko Peralta and Patrick Lee failed to advance in the 4,000-meter individual pursuit in their respective classifications.
Peralta recorded 5:14.411 in the C4 category, while Lee posted 5:09.605 in C5. Neither time was sufficient to secure a place in the next round.
Attention now turns to taekwondo, where Allain Ganapin is set to represent the Philippines in the men’s K44 under-80kg division against Iran’s Mahdi Pourrahnamaahmad at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.
Ganapin, a 28-year-old from Marikina and one of the Philippines’ two flag bearers, is the country’s lone representative in the sport. He needs two victories to guarantee himself at least a medal.
