AGUSTINA Bantiloc, the two time bronze medalist in archery in the Asean Paralympic Games, found herself disqualified after her final attempt in the last edition of the sports event December for using an unprescribed wheelchair, a violation she only came to know after her performance in Singapore.
“I used the same wheelchair when I took the bronze in the 70 meters in the 2011 and 2013 games, so I was surprised to know it did not meet the specifications after my attempts in Singapore,” the 48-year-old paralympian, a native of Tanudan, Kalinga, said.
She was with Dr. Lenora Fe Brawner, a long-time leader of the national archery association and coach at the University of the Philippines who trained many of Baguio’s athletes who eventually made their marks in the event.
“Agustina wants to compete again, and would be grateful should a Samaritan out there could reach out to her and provide a wheelchair with the official specifications,” Brawner said.
The specifications of the wheelchair for this promising paralympian needs: seat width – 14 inches; seat height – 21 inches; back height -0 27 inches; footrest – adjustable; footrest height (from seat to footrest) - 14 inches.
Originally a power lifter, Agustina was a silver medalist in the 2nd ASEAN Paralympic Games with a record of 50 kilos in the bench press before Brawner saw her potential and trained her in archery.
People who can help locate a prescribed wheelchair for this special athlete may contact Dr. Brawner (09209249004 or this writer (09167778103). (Ramon Dacawi)