ASEAN Para Games: PHL delegation records best gold medal haul in 22 years

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine delegation just made history after recording its best-ever gold medal haul in the ASEAN Para Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

After several dominant winning streaks since the kick-off of the prestigious event last week, the Filipino Para athletes already collected a total of 34 gold medals, their best output since joining the sporting event 22 years ago.

Team PHL also surpassed its 28 gold medals during the last ASEAN Para Games edition and will still have a chance to add more with the competition already not yet over.

For the second-straight day, the PHL delegation had another off-the-charts performance and amassed a total of six golds during the June 8 schedule of the Para Games.

Darry Bernardo of the national chess team once again led team PHL with two golds, one in the men’s individual blitz VI-B2/B3 category while the other on the men’s team blitz VI-B2/B3.

Also helping the PHL chess squad in the men’s team blitz category are Arman Subaste and Menandro Redor who also bagged golds in the last few days.

Cheyzer Mendoza of the PHL women’s team also delivered another gold after ruling the women’s individual blitz PI category,

Capping off the women’s chess team’s gold medal outing is the championship finish of Mendoza, Cheryl Angot, and Jean-Lee Nacita in the women’s team blitz category.

Lastly, Andrei Kuizon of the men’s athletics, had another top finish in the ASEAN Games after topping the men’s javelin throw.

Kuizon already gave team PHL a gold medal several days ago during the men’s shot put F54 event but made his international trip sweeter after another terrific finish in the javelin throw.