MANILA – Negrense para swimmer Ariel Joseph Alegarbes delivered three medals, including a gold, in the Asian Youth Paralympic Games over the weekend in Manama, Bahrain.
The Silay City, Negros Occidental native clinched a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly S14 multiclass for boys 17-18 years old with a time of one minute and 1.96 seconds.
The 17-year-old Filipino tanker edged Japanese Rei Kagose who settled for the silver medal with his time of 1:02.74, and Thailand’s W. In-Choo who finished with the bronze medal with 1:06.93.
Alegarbes added a silver medal in the SB14 100-meter breaststroke event with a time of one minute and 17.75 seconds. He also finished second in the men’s 100 meter backstroke event.
“He’s our future in Philippine para sports,” national swim team coach Tony Ong said of the Palarong Pambansa silver medal winner Alegarbes, who has intellectual impairment.
Alegarbes’ gold medal was Philippines’ first in the Asian Youth Paralympic Games. This was also Team Philippines’ first medal since capturing a bronze medal in 2017 at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Alegarbes has an opportunity to add up to his gold medal as he will still plunge back into action on Dec. 6 for the 200 meter individual medley.
Ronn Russel Mitra, on the other hand, clinched a silver medal for the Philippine delegation, settling for a runner-up finish in the men’s T20 400 meter run.
The Santa, Rosa, Laguna native Mitra edged out Korea’s Youngsik Mun for the silver; he was just 0.07 faster with his 54.65 finish. Thailand’s Natapon Kaewmanee took the gold with 54.10.
The country sent 20 athletes across six sports to the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games until Dec. 6./PN
