Achelle Guion won’t compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics since she was one of the Philippine delegation’s members who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) on Tuesday issued a statement naming those who were found out to have contracted the virus last week, and one of them unfortunately is the accomplished para-powerlifter.
Her coach, decorated lifter Tony Taguibao, also tested positive. The two were not able to join Team Pilipinas on the trip to Japan anymore, although the two “remain asymptomatic and in good health,” according to the statement.
“Para-powerlifter Achelle ‘Jinky’ Guion and her coach, Antonio ‘Tony’ Taguibao, were unable to join the Philippine delegation for 2020 Paralympic Games after testing positive for COVID-19,” the PPC said.
Guion, who saw action in the 2012 London Paralympics, was supposed to compete in the women’s -45-kilogram category. She had previously said that lifting beyond 81 kilos is the goal of hers and Taguibao.
The 49-year-old had previously expressed that she’s heading into the 16th Paralympiad having drawn inspiration from weightlifting queen Hidilyn Diaz, who made history by becoming the first-ever Filipino Olympic champion.
“Jinky is deeply frustrated that she will not be able to compete in her powerlifting event for her country after training for so long, especially getting much inspiration from Hidilyn Diaz,” the PPC lamented.
Other members of the delegation who tested positive are Chef de Mission Francis Diaz and para-athletics coach Joel Deriada.
PPC President Michael Barredo has assumed the CDM role “to implement of tasks involving planning, logistics, communications, and the like for orderly navigation in the Paralympics.”
As unfortunate as it is, the PPC said that the Filipino para-athletes “remain in high spirits” for the Games, which runs from August 24 to September 5.
“Despite this most unfortunate development, all our para-athletes remain in high spirits and committed to give their best possible performances to bring honor and glory for our country,” it said.
