Archer Elizabeth Bayla ruled the women’s compound open division in the 8th Philippine National Para Games on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The 56-year-old from Baguio City edged Paris Paralympian and fellow Cordilleran Agustina Bantiloc in the 15-arrow Olympic round, 132-131, to seize the gold medal during the five-day meet organized by the Philippine Paralympic Committee and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“Mahigpit ang laban namin. Kahit sino pwedeng manalo sa amin,’’ said Bayla, who shifted to the compound event after topping the women’s recurve open during the 2019 edition of the PNPG.
Bantiloc topped the 72-arrow elimination phase with 639 points with 19 of her shots hitting the bullseye while Bayla had 25 perfect shots and finished with 637 points.
“With my score, qualified na ako sumali sa international competitions,’’ said Bayla, who is seeking to represent the country in the Asean Para Games next year in Thailand and the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Bayla’s ultimate dream, however, is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
“Siyempre lahat naman kami nangangarap na makapunta sa Paralympics,’’ said Bayla, who has an amputated left leg from the knee down.
Some 870 para – athletes nationwide are competing for medals in the different competition with the return of the 8th Philippine National Para Games which opened Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann and Philspada-National Paralympic Committee Philippines president Michael Barredo were happy that the total number of participating athletes from 60 local government units was the largest number that participated in the annual tournament.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also cheered the differently-abled athletes by expressing his full support and desire to make laws that will help all Filipinos with disabilities.
PNPG was last held in 2019 in Malolos, Bulacan before it was delayed due to Covid-19. It was revived by the Philippine Sports Commission with the sole purpose of providing competitions for diverse athletes that it conducted the eighth edition of the competition. Roderick Osis
