NATIONAL para swimmers and track and field campaigners bidding to clinch Paris Para Games slots left the country over the weekend to compete in two major international meets.
First to go was the national para track and field squad led by 4th Asian Para Games gold medalist Jerrold Mangliwan plus one-armed runner King James Reyes, wheelchair-bound thrower Cendy Asusano and visually impaired thrower Rosalie Quino Torrefiel.
Led by national coach Joel Deriada, the team is seeing action in the World Para Athletic Championships opening this Friday at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium in Kobe, Japan.
Leaving yesterday was the national para swimming team composed of 2023 Cambodia Asean Para Games quadruple gold medalist Angel Mae Otom, 4t Hangzhou Asian Para Games gold medalist Ernie Gawilan, Gary Bejino and Ariel Joseph Alegarbes.
With national para swimming coach Tony Ong calling the shots, the Pinoy para swimmers will compete in the Citi Para Swimming World Series unfolding also this Friday at the OCBC Aquatic Center in Singapore.
Deriada said Mangliwan will race in the 100 and 400-meter T42 evens while Asusano, who won a pair of mints in the Cambodia Asean Para Games, will vie in the javelin, discus throw and shot put.
