Dumapong cops silver in FESPIC liftfest

BUSAN – Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong won the silver medal in the women’s 82.5 kg. division last Thursday at the Pukyong National University gymnasium to cap the Philippine campaign in the eighth Far East and South Pacific (FESPIC) Games for the Disabled here.

Dumapong, bronze medalist in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, lifted 105 kgs. to tie the bench-press record of Australian Julie Russell set in the Beijing FESPIC Games in 1995.

The gold went to Chinese Li Ruifang, who had a new world record lift of 142.5 kgs., erasing her own mark of 140 kgs. set early this year. Korean Kim Mi Soon lifted 75 kgs. for the bronze medal.

"I’m very happy for winning the silver medal," said the 28-year-old Dumapong, who resumed her training only two months ago after giving birth to a baby girl last May.

"I look forward to resuming my training in preparation for the second ASEAN Para Games in Vietnam next year,"said Dumapong, who contracted polio at the age of three. She overcame her disability and completed her BS Computer Education degree at the St. Paul’s College in Quezon City.

Dumapong’s silver medal finish practically assured her of a slot in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

"I was having second thoughts about being able to recover in time for this tournament," added Dumapong, who placed fifth in the third International Powerlifting Championships in Malaysia last August.

"I’d like to thank my coach Ramon Debuque for putting me back in shape, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain, who funded our training and participation and most especially sports commissioner Michael Barredo for inspiring us no end," said Dumapong, a native of Kiangan, Ifugao.

The 17-member Philippine contingent had a total haul of two silvers, including one from Africita Salazar, who finished second in the T-53 class (wheelchair) of the women’s 100-m race, and two bronze medals courtesy of Roderick Canta in the F-57 men’s shot put and newcomer Paz Enano in the T-54 women‚s 100-m run.