OTOM MAKES SPLASH IN HER PARALYMPIC DEBUT

The future is bright for the Filipina Para swimmer Angel Otom as she concluded her Paralympics debut with promising performance during the Paris Games on September.

Otom finished as sixth overall in the women’s 50-meter backstroke and fifth overall in 50-meter butterfly for the S5 events.

In a highly competitive field, Otom, who is currently world no.5, clocked an exact 44-second finish in the backstroke finals on September 3, 6.49 seconds behind the gold medalist, China’s Lu Dong. 

The 21-year-old Otom was visibly running for third in the first 25 meters after an exceptional start, before the Olongapo native faded in the second half of the water sprint and was taken over by Liu and the other earlier finishers.

“Masaya akong nandito pero sayang, sayang. Pangit yung last 15 meters ko (I’m happy that I’m here, but it was unfortunate. I didn’t swim well in the last 15 meters),” said the seven-time ASEAN Para Games gold medalist Otom.

The pride of Olangapo City returned to action for one last Paris medal shot in the women’s 50m butterfly on September 5.

However, Otom fall short of a podium finish after reaching the wall in 45.78 seconds as China’s dong once again dominated the event with a record-breaking performance. 

This marks Otom’s first-ever Paralympic event after copping four gold medals in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games and three more in the prior edition at just 19 years old.

“Angel did really good in her last event the 50-meter butterfly. This is her first Paralympics and both of her events are all in finals, kulang na lang ng podium," said national para swimming coach Tony Ong.

"I believe that next time, she will come prepared and hopefully dominate both events," he added.