Ancheta loses Paragames gold to Korean

MANILA, Philippines - Paralympics medalist Adeline Ancheta narrowly lost the gold medal in the Incheon Asian Para Games powerlifting competitions as Team Philippines remained without a gold in the quadrennial meet after producing five silvers and as many bronzes.

Ancheta, a bronze medalist in the Sydney Paralympics, made the same golden lift of 115kg as Korea’s Lee Hyun Jin but the bet from the host nation went on to win the top plum on account of a lighter body weight (100.08 versus the Pinay’s 111.80).

The veteran Filipina actually took the lead with 115kg – a new APG record – on her first attempt but failed to lift succeeding tries at 118 and 122. Lee hoisted 108 the first time then succeeded at 115 the second time before missing 122.

United Arab Emirates’ Ansaf Suhail Saed Alhidhi took the bronze with a far 52kgs.

Aside from the silver of Ancheta and fellow powerlifter Achele Guion (women’s 45k Group A), Team Phl also got second-place finishes in wheel chair dance sport, tenpin bowling, and athletics.

Dancers Julius Obero and Rochelle Canoy captured the silver in Combi Latin Class 2 with nine points behind champions Lee Young ho and Lee Eunji of Korea (seven points) while bowlers Samuel Matias and Ian Kim Chi duplicated the finish in the mixed doubles TPB 9/10 + TPB 9/10 and field ace Marites Burce achieved it in discus throw F52/53/54.

Swimmer Ernie Gawilan produced three bronzes (men’s 200meter individual medley, 100m freestyle and 400m freestyle SM8) while table tennis bet Josephine Medina (women’s singles TT8) and cyclist Arthus Bucay (men’s individual C 4-5 road race) landed podium finishes.