Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) – After struggling with a setback it encountered early in the day Tuesday, Team Philippines eventually proudly marched into the Olympic Stadium in the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony.
The enthusiasm among the lean Philippine delegation was felt right from the start as flag bearer Jerrold Mangliwan raised his right arm with a clenched fist, signaling the entry of the Filipinos in the 16th edition of the Paralympic Games.
Mangliwan, the country’s bet in wheelchair racing, was joined by swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino and Philippine para-swimming team head coach Tony Ong in the Parade of Nations.
Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo and other team staff also joined the march.
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Hours before the opening ceremony, the six-man Philippine Paralympic team was down to five after powerlifter Achelle Guion tested positive for COVID-19 which derailed what could have been her second Paralympic stint.
Guion’s coach Antonio Taguibao, Team Philippines chef-de-mission Francis Diaz, and Philippine para-athletics team head coach Joel Deriada also tested positive for the virus.
Bejino will open Team Philippines’ campaign in the Tokyo Paralympics on Thursday morning when he competes in the 200-meter individual medley heats.
RELATED: Powerlifter Achelle Guion, 3 other PH Paralympic delegation members test positive for COVID-19
Tokyo Paralympics: Team Philippines schedule, results, updates
