KUALA LUMPUR — Claire Calizo of Ibahay, Aklan province captured the bronze medal in the women’s 100-meter freestyle S14 in the ongoing 9th ASEAN Para Games here.
Calizo clocked 1:15.47, 10.32 seconds behind Indonesia’s Syuci Indriano, who took the gold, and silver medalist Daniele Moi of Singapore.
“Kinakabahan ako sa sarili ko, kasi alam ko marami tayong kababayan na nag-aabang sa resulta ng aming mga laro dito at buo ang suporta nila sa amin,” said the debuting Calizo, a product of Palarong Pambansa and represented the Western Visayas region.
“Iniisip ko na lang, do your best and God will do the rest. First time ako sumali sa Para Games, I was surprised I won,” Calizo said.
Her mother, Cel, who works in Australia, was present during the event and witnessed her daughter’s winning performance at the National Aquatic Center KL Sports City in Bukit Jalil.
“I have all the trust and confidence in my daughter. Claire is a strong-willed person despite her disability,” Cel said.
“Swimming is work, a passion, it makes me happy,” Calizo said. “My biggest goal is to participate in the Paralympics in Tokyo.”
The 18-year-old rallied fellow differently abled people to “never lose hope and keep believing in oneself.”
Other Filipino para swimmers who gave their best but fell short of winning medals include Arnel Aba (men’s 50m breaststroke SB8); Edwin Villanueva (men’s 50m breaststroke SB7); Rodel Crisostomo (men’s 50m breaststroke SB 14); and Judy Ann Neblasca (women’s 50m breaststroke SB 14). They all landed at fourth spot in their respective events. (Primo Agatep/PNA)
