MANILA – Filipino swimmer Angel Mae Otom narrowly missed a medal at the Paris Paralympics, finishing fifth in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5 final on Friday afternoon (Saturday morning in Manila).

In her Paralympic debut, the 21-year-old Olongapo City native clocked a personal best time of 45.78 seconds. The gold medal went to China’s Lu Dong, who set a new Paralympic record with a time of 38.17 seconds, surpassing her own Tokyo record of 39.54 seconds and the previous world record of 39.32 seconds held by compatriot He Shenggao. He won silver with a time of 38.98 seconds, while Turkey’s Sevilay Ozturk took bronze with 43.70 seconds. Chinese swimmer Cheng Jiao finished fourth with 45.60 seconds.

Para-swimming team head coach Tony Ong praised Otom’s performance, stating, “She fought hard and showed great determination. There will be future opportunities, and she will be better prepared next time.”

Otom, who had won the same event at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games, reached the finals after securing third place in her heat with a time of 46.85 seconds. She was ranked fifth overall.

Earlier this week, Otom also competed in the 50m backstroke, where she placed sixth with a time of 44.00 seconds. “This was her first Paralympic experience, and making it to the finals is an accomplishment. I’m confident she will excel in future events. Mabuhay ang Atletang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” Ong added.

In other news, Cendy Asusano is set to compete in the women’s javelin throw F54 event at the Stade de France on Saturday. The finals are scheduled for 10:04 a.m. (4:04 p.m. Manila time).

“Asusano expressed a mix of nerves and excitement, aiming to give her best performance. A double-gold medalist at the ASEAN Para Games, she qualified for Paris with a throw of 14.23 meters at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. She also placed fourth at the World Para Championships in Kobe, Japan, in May, improving her personal best to 14.63 meters.

“If I surpass my previous personal best and reach 15 meters, I will be thrilled,” Asusano said.