The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
With the exception of one judoka who was left at home due to illness, all 72 national para athletes who will see action in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games are present accounted for, according to Philippine chef de mission Ral Rosario.
“We had one judoka who got sick and was unable to make it here, but other than that all of the other 72 athletes are here,” said Rosario as he met the second batch of the Philippine contingent last Tuesday afternoon at the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport here.
Composed of 57 athletes and officials, among who arrived were those from archery, judo, powerlifting and table tennis, with national para swimmer Ernie Gawilan, a triple gold medalist in the 2018 3rd Jakarta Para Games. and veteran power lifter Adeline Dumapong among them.
Also arriving late Monday night from Jakarta, Indonesia was chess player Jasper Rom, who won a gold each as the PH chessers swept the men’s team standard and rapid events five years ago in the Indonesian capital.
A former national swimming standout, Rosario said that except for the cool weather in the evening as autumn sets in “all our athletes are adjusting quite well and settling in as they gear for their respective events” in the trip supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
He also praised the Hangzhou Asian Para Games organizers “for being very helpful and accommodating in meeting our needs and requests,” adding that Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo was scheduled to arrive Thursday from Manila.
Scheduled on Friday is the welcome ceremony at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games Village for all of the participants in the continental competition in this bustling and progressive port city, according to Rosario.
With 57 athletes competing in 10 sports, the Philippines brought home 10 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals while winding up 11th in the overall standings in the previous edition of the continental showcase five years ago.
Barredo said equalling if not surpassing that haul was the goal here, on top of the extra motivation of excelling since some sports such as athletics, swimming, power lifting and archery in the competition also serve as ranking or qualifying meets for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.