By MARK REY MONTEJO
Team Philippines captured three gold medals in the badminton event of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP) at Stadium Juara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently.
In the four-day meet that promotes respect and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through sports, the Nationals also brought home two silvers, one bronze and three ribbons of excellence in their respective events which were joined by nine other countries.
Dominique Dela Cruz spearheaded the PH charge as she ruled the Singles Women (Division 2) class after dominating rivals from Indonesia, Thailand, and Pakistan.
Her second gold came in the Unified Doubles (Division 2) where she and Joanna Mae Duron crushed their foes as well to give the Philippines its second gold
John Dave Floranda also dazzled from start to finish, dispatching his opponents en route to finals where he blanked an opponent from Maldives, 2-0, to reign supreme in the Singles Men (Division 3).
The silvers, meanwhile, were won by Arjay Elunan and Henry Wales in Unified Doubles Men (Division 3) and Marcus Antonio Palomares and Robin Andrew Conanan in Unified Doubles Men (Division 2).
Ishihara Jasmin Mojica won bronze in the Singles Women (Division 1).
“Our athletes did not just win medals; they won hearts. Every smash, every rally, and every comeback they made showed the world what inclusion looks like,” said Akiko Thomson-Guevara, the Chairperson and National President of Special Olympics Pilipinas.
“This campaign is proof that Filipinos with intellectual disabilities are champions—in sports and in life,” she added.
Despite falling short to the podium, John Dave Floranda and Henry Wales (Doubles Men -Division 1, 5th Place), Marcus Antonio Palomares (Singles Men – Division 2, 5th Place) and Ishihara Jasmin Mojica and Angel Grace Sabud (Doubles Women – Division 1, 4th Place) received the ribbons of excellence after showcasing determination, courage, and unwavering spirit.
