Team Philippines’ Dakar Journey Begins With Long Flights and Big Olympic Dreams
Team Philippines has begun its journey to Dakar, where swimmers Jamesray Michael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman will carry the flag at the Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.



![AJ Alegarbes, accompanied by the Philippine Paralympics Committee president Mike Barredo and coach Bryan Ong. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1090-400x200.png)
![Asian Paralympic Committee president H.E. Majid Rashed (seated) and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo (left, wearing sunglasses) congratulate Ernie Gawilan following his gold-medal triumph in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Joining them are coaches Tony Ong and Bryan Ong. [PPC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1080-400x200.png)
![Ernie Gawilan won the Philippines' first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games with victory in the men's 400-meter freestyle S7 in Nagoya, Japan. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1071-400x200.png)

![Angel Otom celebrates after winning the women’s 50m freestyle S4-S5 at the ASEAN Para Games. [photo credit: Philippine Sports Commission]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/619905264_18422320912188673_5673277493537234826_n-400x200.jpg)
![Angel Otom clocks a record-setting 1:43.87 in the women’s 100m backstroke S4-S5 on Day 3 of the ASEAN Para Games. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8c984316-27c7-4ed2-84ce-7fcd1137b9fa-400x200.jpg)
![Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino lead the Philippines’ gold rush at the ASEAN Para Games [photo credit: APG2025 Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/5e386f1f-6e69-46f3-9481-575cd151f7b0-400x200.jpg)