Nakhon ratchasima: Angel Otom grabbed her fifth gold medal in the 13th ASEAN Para Games after dominating the women's 50-meter freestyle S4-S5 event at the 80th Birthday Aquatics Center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 22-year-old clocked 44.51 seconds to become the Philippine team's most bemedalled athlete so far. She also has one silver medal. Thai Wilasini Wongnonthapoom and Malaysian Brenda Anellia Larry took silver and bronze, respectively. The 2024 Paris Paralympian surpassed her previous record of four gold medals and one silver at the 12th ASEAN Para Games held in Cambodia in 2023. Otom expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, 'It was very fulfilling because I got five golds in five individual events and one silver in relay 4x50 freestyle.'
Gary Bejino secured his third gold medal after clocking 33.23 seconds in the men's 50-meter freestyle S6, defeating Thai Aekkarin Noithat and Vietnamese Tien Dat Le. Marco Tinamisan triumphed in the men's 50m freestyle S3, beating Thais Methasit Nakananram and Charkorn Kaewsri.
In chess, FIDE Master Sander Severino and Darry Bernardo led the Filipinos to win four gold medals at the Standard Time Control category at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University. Severino dominated the men's individual PI event and joined Jasper Rom at Henry Roger Lopez for the men's team PI victory. Bernardo won gold in the B2 men's division and the team B2 event with Arman Subaste at Menandro Redor.
As the final day of competition approaches, the Philippines is close to reaching the 30-gold-medal mark, currently holding 28 golds, 24 silvers, and 37 bronzes, placing fourth in the medal standings. Host Thailand leads with 127 golds, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia.
