Paralympic Games: Team Philippines Recap

Two weeks after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, another sports event opened in Beijing.  This time, the athletes are special and the Paralympic Games began with a unique opening ceremony participated by 148 countries all over the world.

For Team Philippines, we only had 3 athletes competing in two events.  They are Pedro Sollique, Cherry Pinpin and Ads Dumapong.  Sollique and Pinpin both competed in the 2-person keelboat in Qingdao.  Ads Dumapong is fielded in women’s powerlifting for the 80+kg category.

As the Games are about to end on Wednesday, our athletes have also completed their events.  Sollique and Pinpin placed last after 10 races in their event.  Ads Dumapong, on the other hand, did not start on her event.

I didn’t actually get to follow our athletes so I’m not really sure what happened.  It seems like they were mysteriously forgotten even by our news stations in the Philippines.  To our special athletes, I’m proud of you for competing in one of the best sports event in history.  You may not have won but you’re already winners by overcoming your disabilities and showing the world that you’re better than the others.

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Beijing Olympics: Last Day and Recap for Team Philippines

It’s hot in Beijing during the last day of the Olympics. Only a few matches left most notably the men’s basketball finals between the US “Redeem Team” and Spain. The US team won 118-107 with Dwyane Wade scoring 27 points. They’ve redeemed themselves after placing third in the Athens Game.

In the demonstration sport of Wushu, Team Philippines picked up 1 silver and 2 bronze medal in the last day. Mary Jane Estimar picked up a silver medal in the Women’s 52kg Sanshou category. Mariane Mariano and Benjie Rivera picked up a bronze medal each in their respective categories in Sanshou. Just like my brother said, hearing the Philippine national anthem played in the games is enough. Let’s hope that they will continue with this sport till it becomes a regular sport in the future games.

That’s the end of Team Philippines’ journey in the Beijing Olympics. We ended with no golds but we went home with rich experience and determination to improve ourselves to do better in London 2012. Till the next Olympics.. hopefully, I’ll get a chance to work in London.

Beijing Olympics: Day 14 for Team Philippines

It’s a hot and sunny day in Beijing and Team Philippines will end their Olympic stint today with two Pinoys seeing action in taekwondo and diving. Mary Antoinette Rivero touted as the one who has the greatest chance to win the gold will start her fight in the mat at 10am. The other Pinoy, Ryan Rexel Fabrega, will be attempting to reach the semifinals tonight at 7pm in the 10m platform diving.

Ten am rolled and the match between Mary Antoinette Rivero and Sandra Saric started. At the end of round 1, both athletes didn’t score a point. In round 2, Toni scored a defensive kick for 1 point while Sandra scored an offensive kick of 1 point but was given a warning penalty. In round 3, Sandra was able to score 3 defensive kicks to win the match 4 to 1.

Just like Tshomlee, the chance to reach repechage stage was dashed when the eventual champion Hwang Kyungseon of Korea defeated Sandra in the quarterfinals.

Beijing Olympics: Day 12 for Team Philippines

On the 12th day of the Olympics, Beijing is hot and humid. It feels like it’s going to rain the next day. As for team Philippines, Tshomlee Go will see action at 1145am against Ryan Carneli of Australia.

I don’t have any work in the morning so I’m glad to catch up some sleep. I’ve been waiting for the match between the two of them but wasn’t able to find the channel. I just check the results online and hope for the best.

Around 12 noon, the result came and Ryan defeated Tshomlee 1 to 0. I was so disappointed. I checked the blow by blow account and it seems that Tshomlee wasn’t able to hit his opponent. I was frustrated it seems like watching Tanamor all over again. Everyone was hyping that the boxer and the taekwondo jins have the best chances to get a gold but they’re nowhere near it. I hope Toni would do better this Friday.