The Filipino athletes brought a spectacular performance in the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics and hereby making history as weightlifter Hidiliyn Diaz delivered the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the country.

This feat further escalated as boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam bagged silver medals and a bronze medal from Eumir Marcial.

This made Laurel hopeful and encouraged the PH Para athletes to carry on with a victorious stint in Tokyo Paralympics. 

“On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine Embassy and the consulates general in Nagoya and Osaka, I wish our Philippine Paralympic athletes success,” said Laurel during his visit to the Tokyo Prince Hotel.

“You are an inspiration to all of us,” the ambassador told the Paralympians. “Your amazing triumphs in sports highlight the immense contribution that our kababayans with disabilities have made in lifting the pride of the Philippines on the world stage.”

“I am sure the entire Filipino community in Japan will join us in cheering our athletes to victory,” he added. “Mabuhay kayong lahat.“

Meanwhile, the team Philippines will be represented by wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, discus thrower Jeannette Aceveda, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin.

This delegation is also led by Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo and commissioner Arnold Agustin of the Philippine Sports Commission.

And as per Ambassador Laurel’s visit, Barredo and Agustin presented official tracksuits of the PH as tokens of appreciation. 

“We are grateful and encouraged by your enthusiastic support of our para-athletes and pray that this will motivate them, even more, to excel in their respective events,” Barredo replied.

“This great show of support for our ‘lean and mean’ national Paralympic means much to us and will surely motivate our athletes to give their all during the World Para Games,” Agustin echoed.