Filipina para swimmer Angel Otom advanced to the finals of the women's 50m backstroke S5 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics after finishing seventh overall in the heats with a time of 44.03 seconds.
Filipina para swimmer Angel Otom has made her mark on the international stage after securing her spot in the women's 50-meter backstroke S5 final of the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Tuesday, September 3 (Philippine time).
In a highly competitive field, Otom, who is currently the world no. 5, finished seventh overall with 44.03 seconds, solidifying her place among the top eight swimmers who will advance to the medal round.
Otom, a third-year student at the University of the Philippines, finished fourth in Heat 1 and had to wait for the results of the second heat to see her overall standing.
After Heat 2, the Pinay para swimmer’s time was just within the top eight, ensuring her progression to the next stage of the competition.
Chinese para swimmers Lu Dong (39.48s), He Shenggao (41.31s), and Liu Yu (42.59s) achieved the top three fastest times during the heats.
The final, set for 12:33 a.m. (Philippine time), promises to be an exhilarating showdown as Otom tries to sneak a podium finish for only the Philippines’ third medal in the Paralympic Games.