PARIS – Filipino para swimmer Angel Mae Otom is poised for a standout performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where she will compete in the highly anticipated women’s 50-meter backstroke S5 event. The competition will take place at the prestigious La Defense Arena on Tuesday.

Otom, who has been diligently preparing for this moment, is determined to secure a medal and bring pride to the Philippines. National para swimming coach Tony Ong expressed his confidence in Otom’s progress, noting, “Angel is doing well. I’m happy with her development.”

In preparation for her Paralympic debut, Otom completed a 3,000-meter easy swim to maintain her muscle conditioning, a key factor in her strategy for the race. This preparation led her and fellow para athlete Ernie Gawilan to forgo the national Paralympic team’s courtesy call at the Philippine embassy over the weekend.

Currently ranked 5th in the world for the women’s 50-meter backstroke S5, Otom is among the top medal contenders in a field of six Filipino para athletes backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. The Olongapo City native will swim in the first heat, starting at 10:26 a.m. (4:26 p.m. Manila time), racing in lane 5 between world No. 2 He Shenggao and Liu Yu of China.

The reigning Paralympic champion, Lu Dong, who holds the world and Paralympic record of 37.18 seconds, is the favorite in the second heat. The top eight qualifiers from the heats will advance to the finals, scheduled for 6:34 p.m. (12:34 a.m. Wednesday in Manila).

Otom, who has a personal best of 44.72 seconds, is motivated to surpass her record and aim for a podium finish, potentially ending the Philippines’ eight-year medal drought at the Paralympic Games. The last Filipino athlete to secure a medal was the late table tennis player Josephine Medina, who won bronze in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.

Driven by a competitive spirit beneath her cheerful demeanor, Otom revealed in a recent interview her determination to win gold. “Go for gold talaga. Kung mangarap ka, ba’t hindi na rin gold?” she said confidently.

Otom has been rigorously training since February under Coach Tony Ong’s guidance, with increasingly intense workouts. The limbless swimming queen previously secured four gold medals at the 2023 Cambodia ASEAN Para Games, solidifying her status as the Philippines’ top para swimmer.

As she prepares to dive into the pool in Paris, Otom carries with her the hopes of a nation, aiming to inspire and make history at the 2024 Paralympics.