Angel Otom has booked a ticket to her second World Para Swimming Championships. After bringing home two medals from the recent World Series in Japan, the Paris Paralympian is aiming even higher. Even before her being recruited as a national athlete in the S-5 class, she enjoyed being in the water, despite not having arms.
“I really just loved being in the water, explained the Bulacan native. “My friends and I would run in the sea whenever we got the chance. It was so fun.”
Seven years ago, necessity forced the then 14-year-old to join the Philippine Sports Association for Disabled Athletes (PHILSPADA) National Para Games in Marikina. The hope was that she would be recruited so that she could be entitled to an allowance and help her family. The dream came true, and she started strong, earning a bronze medal in the women’s 50-meter backstroke event of the Asian Para Games in Bahrain.
Her training has to be modified according to her ability. She can’t really do running exercises. In case she falls down, she won’t be able to brace herself and protect her head. And without arms to act as levers, she can’t do weight or resistance training for her upper body, as well. Therefore, Angel concentrates on her core and lower extremities, giving her a powerful ability to churn through the water.
Perhaps what is most remarkable of all, is her pure joy whenever swimming or even just talking about it. She beams and glows at the main thought of being in the pool. Otom recognizes the blessing of her sport, and the rare privilege of being able to travel, and at the same time represent the country in various international competitions. In fact, she will be heading to Singapore for her second World Para Swimming Championship in September. She’s currently on a tear, winning golds in almost every international competition she’s been sent to.
“Swimming has been such a blessing for me,” she continues in the vernacular. “My first time riding an airplane was to go to a competition. And it’s a powerful feeling to represent the country. There’s nothing like it.”
At 21 years old, Otom still has a long and fruitful career ahead of her. She’ll be around long enough to see the fruits of the campaign to raise the government incentives of differently-abled athletes to match those of regular athletes. Her winning spirit and great attitude are an example for all athletes. Training is not a burden, but a blessing, whose fruits take you to places you never dreamed you would reach. Just ask her.