PH concludes 12th ASEAN Para Games with 34 gold medals

(CNN Philippines, June 9) — The Philippines wrapped up its campaign in the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia in fifth place.

Team Philippines collected 34 gold, 33 silver, and 50 bronze medals in the biennial multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities in Southeast Asia.

This was a better performance by Filipino para athletes compared with their outing last year in Indonesia, where the Philippines earned 28 gold, 30 silver, and 46 bronze medals.

Chess players Darry Bernardo and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza bagged the most individual gold medals with six and five, respectively.

Angel Mae Otom, meanwhile, won four gold medals for the swimming squad.

"I am honored and overjoyed to congratulate our athletes for their remarkable performances and astounding achievements in the 12th ASEAN Para Games," Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and Team Philippines chef-de-mission Walter Francis Torres said in a statement Friday.

"These achievements have not only brought glory once again to the Philippines but also serve as inspirations and motivations to future generations of para-athletes," he added.

Indonesia was the overall leader in the medal tally with 159 gold, 148 silver, and 94 silver medals.