BACOLOD City – The Philippine Sports Commission said that two Negrosanons para-athletes gave pride not just to their province but also to the country in two separate international sports events.
Ariel Joseph Alegarbes of Victorias City, Negros Occidental won the gold medal in the men’s 50-meter butterfly yesterday and silver medal in the 50-meter backstroke para-swimming on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the ongoing Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 in Brisbane, Australia.
Achelle Guion of Sipalay City, meanwhile, pocketed two gold medals during the 2022 World Para Powerlifting African Championships held in Cairo, Egypt from Oct. 27 to 30.
The cities of Victorias and Sipalay have taken pride in their homegrown para-athletes.
Victorias City mayor Javier Miguel Benitez expressed pride for the para-athletes and added that the 18-year-old Alegarbes was the first athlete from Negros Occidental to have competed in the said swimming event.
“To our city’s pride, I am sending my utmost congratulations. To set this momentous feat is a great manifestation of the distinct Filipino and Victoriahon qualities of worldwide title holders. Proud is truly an understatement. Thank you for bringing great honor to the city,” Benitez said.
In August this year, Alegarbes, who has ADHD with learning disability and dyslexia, also won three gold medals in record-breaking fashion during the 11th Asean Para Games in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the city government of Sipalay led by Mayor Maria Gina Lizares congratulated Guion for bagging two gold medals in the Cairo games.
The veteran powerlifter, 50, took home the awards for best lift and best total lift up to 45 kilograms in the Legend Category.
Earlier, Lizares turned over a P30,000 worth of check to Guion, through her sister Yvette Guion, as a gesture of support from the city government.
Guion, whose impairment is due to polio, is from Barangay San Jose in the southern Negros city, but now resides in Cainta, Rizal. (PNA)/PN
