In its quest for glory at the Paris Paralympics, the Philippines finds encouragement in the achievements of swimmer Gia Pergolini, who boasts Filipino heritage.
Pergolini, whose father Bill is Italian-American and mother Alice Masangkay is Filipina, secured her second gold medal by winning the women’s 100-meter backstroke S13 event at La Defense Arena in Paris over the weekend.
At just 20 years old, Pergolini successfully defended the title she first won three years ago in Tokyo.
Her victory in the event for athletes with less severe visual impairments marked the United States' first gold of the Paris Games, bringing hope to the Philippine squad that seeks its own moment of triumph.
Pergolini shared that her mother was a significant source of inspiration during her race. “I think I blacked out at one moment, but I remember getting in the water and hearing my mom. I barely heard the crowd,” Pergolini said in an Associated Press report.
Meanwhile, Filipina swimmer Angel Otom, 21, is channeling her frustration from a tough performance in the women’s 50-meter backstroke S5 into her upcoming 50m butterfly race at La Defense Arena on Friday.
Otom, hailing from Olongapo City, finished sixth in the 50m backstroke final with a time of 44 seconds.
“I'm happy to be here, but it's disappointing, disappointing. My last 15 meters were poor. I pushed through despite the pain,” said Otom, who competes without arms.
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