Team Philippines made a strong start at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as para swimmers Raemond Adefuin and Mary Hannah Diesto captured gold and silver, respectively, at the Hamdan Sports Complex.

Fifteen-year-old Adefuin clocked 35.84 seconds to win the boys 12-16 50-meter butterfly multi-class S2-7, beating Indonesia’s Komang Aditya Pradnyana (45.40) and Japan’s Ryuga Yamada (46.39). “It’s a big victory for me because I beat my personal best of 36 seconds,” said Adefuin, a Grade 10 student from Kabulusan Integrated National High School in Laguna, in Filipino.

Diesto secured silver in the girls 12-15 200m freestyle multi-class S1-S5 with a time of 2:51.95, behind Indonesia’s Siti Aisyah (2:26.50), while Malaysia’s Asyiil Raziin Binti Razman claimed bronze (2:52.03).

Wheelchair basketball team battles to quarterfinals

The Filipino wheelchair basketball squad showed grit with three consecutive victories to advance to the quarterfinals at the Al Ahli Club. The Nationals opened with a 14-6 win over Saudi Arabia, edged host UAE 10-9, and defeated Thailand 13-12 in extra time, highlighted by Edgardo Ochaves’ game-winning basket. Ochaves finished with 11 points.

Head coach Vernon Perea credited the team’s defensive execution for their success. “We stuck to our game plan, especially with our defense,” he said. At press time, the team was battling Bangladesh to continue their campaign.

Para table tennis and athletics highlight Filipino talent

In para table tennis, Ramces Tuala started his men’s U23 singles Class 8 campaign with wins over Iran’s Arsham Ramazani and Singapore’s Jayden Low. “At first I was nervous, but eventually I was able to get my composure even in the crucial moments,” said the 22-year-old on his Games debut.

Lhey Manginsay also impressed in women’s U23 singles Class 9, defeating Iran’s Amirali Ahmadi, while Zidrez Dela Cruz and Vroxzield Cabanero fell short in their respective campaigns. In goalball, the Filipinos dropped their first Pool D match to Korea, 10-4.

The 10-member para athletics team is preparing for their events, with RJ Brucal in men’s U17 long jump T20, Mark Lorence Suarez, Jolly Poquiz, and John Reyl Diano in men’s U20 long jump T20, Kyle Macey Norte in men’s U17 200 meters T11, Charmel Bada in women’s U17 long jump T20, and Cedric Sario in men’s U20 high jump T42 all seeking podium finishes.