Jaehwa Bernardo

ASEAN Para Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta bags the gold at the 9th ASEAN Para Games Women’s +86 kg. final held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on September 20, 2017. Joey O. Razon, PNA/File

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Paralympian Adeline Dumapong dedicates lifetime award to para sports community

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774165335404Adeline Dumapong Ancheta 1 - 092117.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="ASEAN Para Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta bags the gold at the 9th ASEAN Para Games Women’s +86 kg. final held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on September 20, 2017. Joey O. Razon, PNA/File"/>ASEAN Para Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta bags the gold at the 9th ASEAN Para Games Women’s +86 kg. final held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on September 20, 2017. Joey O. Razon, PNA/File</div>MANILA – Retired Paralympic powerlifter Adeline Dumapong Ancheta dedicated her latest recognition to the para sports community, hoping she can inspire more change and more athletes to represent the country.Dumapong Ancheta was feted a Lifetime Achievement Award at the third edition of the All-Women in Sports Awards last Thursday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.The 52-year-old made history for the Philippines, when she took home bronze, the country&#x27;s first medal at the 2000 Syndey Paralympics.&quot;Actually two years ago, I received a similar award and in fact, when I was given the invitation again to come, parang medyo nag-alangan ako kasi sabi ko, parang hindi ba nabigay na ako dati nito?&quot; Dumapong Ancheta told reporters.&quot;However, upon deeper reflection, naisip ko na I am going to receive this award not just for myself but for all the women, especially the parasports, in the parasports community, for all the women whose efforts have not been recognized yet and who have been working quietly, really pushing forward parasports in the Philippines,&quot; she addedDumapong Ancheta won 19 medals and competed in five Paralympic Games during her career that spans nearly three decades.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/14/17/all-eyes-on-powerlifting-vet-as-ph-seeks-golds-in-asean-para-games">READ: All eyes on powerlifting vet as PH seeks golds in ASEAN Para Games </a></div>The para powerlifter said there have been many changes and improvements in para sports community compared to before.&quot;I think this award also shows kung gaano na kalayo yung narating ng Pilipinas in terms of inclusion kasi dati wala namang ganito when I was starting 30 years ago, wala naman, walang support, walang recognition, lalo na sa babae. Pero ngayon, now this shows na meron ng pagkilala at pag-appreciate sa mga kababaihan at mga kababaihang may kapansanan,&quot; she said.&quot;Kasi sobrang layo na talaga. Kung tinitignan ko yung pinagsimulan ko at kung anong meron ngayon, sobrang wala akong ibang masasabi kundi pasasalamat. Dahil sa mga, ako ang ambag ko lang is really to have performed to the best of my ability,&quot; the 52-year-old shared.Despite retiring in 2024, Dumapong Ancheta said her role in the para sports community does not stop and has just begun until it reaches the &quot;ideal stage.&quot;&quot;Siguro, ang gusto kong makita, pag dumating tayo sa sinasabi nga natin na parang ideal stage, sana dumating yung panahon na hindi na natin kailangang magkaroon ng Women&#x27;s Month, alam mo yun?&quot; the para powerlifter said.&quot;Hindi na natin kailangang magkaroon ng pagsasabi na asking for equal opportunity because it is there already. That&#x27;s the ideal stage sana. Nakapagkasinabing atletang, Pilipino, kasama na lahat, babae, lalaki, may kapansanan at wala. Yun sana,&quot; she added.For Dumapong Ancheta, the award is not just for her, but for those helping grow and support the para sports community behind the scenes.

Retired Paralympic powerlifter Adeline Dumapong Ancheta dedicated her latest recognition to the para sports community, hoping she can inspire more change and more athletes to represent the country.

Retired Paralympic powerlifter Adeline Dumapong Ancheta dedicated her latest recognition to the para sports community, hoping she can inspire more change and more athletes to represent the country.