Filipino para athletes face tough Asian Para Games field as medal campaign begins in Japan

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 18, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Asian Games

The Philippine delegation is gearing up for a challenging campaign at the 5th Asian Para Games, with 69 athletes competing across 18 sports as the continental competition opens in Nagoya, Japan.

Table tennis player Lhey Manginsay and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin served as the country’s flag bearers during Sunday night’s opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Sports Park.

Manginsay entered the competition on a winning note, defeating Tajikistan’s Nadima Nurbekova in straight sets, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1, in the women’s singles Class 9 event. With only eight athletes in her category, she has secured a place in the quarterfinals.

Fellow table tennis campaigner Smith Billy Cartera also advanced after sweeping Mongolia’s Myagmartsogt Purevdorj, 11-4, 11-2, 11-1, in the men’s singles Class 4-5. Cartera, who previously lost to world No. 5 Zhengyang Peng of China, is set to face Thailand’s Norakan Chanphaka for a place in the quarterfinals on Monday.

In swimming, veteran campaigner Ernie Gawilan is targeting another strong performance as he leads the Philippine team at the Rainbow Pool of the Nagoya City General Gymnasium.

The 35-year-old swimmer hopes to match or surpass his medal haul from the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, where he won one gold and one bronze medal.

Angel Otom is another swimmer to watch after winning three gold medals at last year’s ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Meanwhile, Filipino cyclists Arthus Bucay, Patrick Lee and Nikko Peralta will pursue both medals and qualifying points for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games when cycling events begin Monday in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Bucay, 45, is a 2012 Paralympian and a medalist at the 2018 Asian Games. He is entered in the 1-kilometer individual time trial on the track and the road race.

Lee, 21, who won bronze at the Asian Para Track Championship in Tagaytay last March, will compete in the 1-kilometer individual time trial and individual pursuit on the track, as well as the 15-kilometer individual time trial and 65-kilometer road race.

Peralta, meanwhile, will compete in the 4-kilometer pursuit and the individual time trial and road race events, hoping to produce surprise results against the region’s leading cyclists.

The Philippine para powerlifting team is also aiming for a podium finish. Coach Adeline Dumapong said the athletes would give their best as they take on a competitive international field.

With experienced medalists and emerging talents in the lineup, Team Philippines hopes to turn its preparations into strong performances across the 18 disciplines in Japan.