Elizabeth Bayla, a 56-year-old archer from Baguio City, emerged victorious in the women’s compound open division at the 8th Philippine National Para Games. In a tightly contested Olympic round, held on a cloudy Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Bayla defeated seasoned Paralympian Agustina Bantiloc with a score of 132-131 in the 15-arrow final, seizing the gold medal.

This five-day tournament, organized by the Philippine Paralympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, brought together para-athletes from across the nation. Bantiloc initially led the 72-arrow elimination phase, recording 639 points with 19 bullseye shots. Bayla, however, matched the competition with an impressive 637 points, including 25 bullseyes.

Reflecting on her intense competition with Bantiloc, Bayla shared, “It was a close match; it could have gone either way.” Her determination and skill in the compound division follow her previous success in the recurve division during the 2019 Philippine National Para Games.

With this recent win, Bayla has qualified to represent the Philippines in international competitions. Her sights are set on the 2024 Asean Para Games in Thailand and the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. Yet, her ultimate dream remains the Paralympics. “We all dream of reaching the Paralympics,” Bayla said, motivated by her ambition to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Bayla’s journey is one of resilience and strength, particularly as she competes with an amputated left leg. Her story of determination serves as an inspiration for para-athletes and the broader archery community.