“Ate Jo, as Medina was called, exemplified hard work and dedication to her sport that our national para-athletes can follow and look up to as an inspiration,” said Barredo from Tokyo, where he is with the country’s delegation to the Paralympics.

“This is what made her an exceptional athlete and champion and enabled her to win a bronze medal for the country in Rio,” he added.

After 16 years of drought spell for the Philippines in the Paralympics since 2000, Medina brought a bronze medal from Rio de Janeiro.

Medina’s disability was no means of stopping her from bagging four gold medals in the 2008 ASEAN Para Games held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

This feat rocketed as she delivered gold medals in the 2014, 2015, and 2017 editions of the meet held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, respectively.

And some silver medals from the 2010 Guangzhou and 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games and a bronze medal in the 2014 Incheon edition.

“Talagang hard worker yang si Josephine and addicted to training, which is why she excelled in her sport,” said para-athletics coach Joel Deriada, who witnessed Medina win her bronze medal at the Riocentro Pavilion 3 in the Brazilian city.

“Masipag talaga sa training si Ate Jo. Nagtatagal talaga kami sa pag-palo, lampas nang isa o dalawang oras sa four hours namin na regular practice,” added coach Michael Dalumpines.