Paralympic medalist Dumapong recalls tough journey toward Sydney Games
Published Mar 30, 2026 02:38 pm
At A Glance
- Para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta vividly remembered her journey nearly 26 years ago that bore fruit to the country's first-ever medal in the women's 82.5 kilograms event of the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games in Australia.
Para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta
Para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta vividly remembered her journey nearly 26 years ago that bore fruit to the country's first-ever medal in the women’s 82.5 kilograms event of the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games in Australia.
It was a glorious moment for Philippine sports, preserved in one image of triumph that also served as a reminder of how difficult it was for her to navigate through the hardships with limited support.
It could have been enough reason for the 52-year-old Dumapong to step away from the sport, but her patriotism only burned brighter.
Decades later, she chose to dedicate her hard-earned bronze medal – one that even survivedTyphoon Ondoy – to the newly established Para athletes section at the National Sports Museum inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Pasig City.
“I believe that this Paralympic medal does not belong to me alone. It belongs to the Filipino people, and by placing it in the National Sports Museum, I hope it can be shared with all,” said Dumapong.
“Especially every para athlete, every coach, every official and athlete. May it remind us of what is possible when determination meets opportunity,” she added.
Dumapong couldn’t help but break into tears as she also paid tribute to her fellow Paralympic bronze medalist, the late table tennis ace Josephine Medina, whose items were also displayed in the section.
“Even now, when I think about it I become emotional because I have lived through the journey… na wala man lang support, walang contribution compared to something that we have now,” said Dumapong.
“I’m emotional kasi I never imagined my medal to be displayed [dito], sabi ko nga this is not about me, but it really shows na may progress na may pag-asa ang Pilipinas na kumilala ng pagkakapantay-pantay,” she added. “Pero the athletes we have now, nakakatuwa, kasi nagkaka-stories, napapansin na sila.”
Philippine Sports Commission commissioners Bong Coo and Walter Torres, and Paralympic Committee of the Philippines president Mike Barredo were also present along with several Paralympians, including para swimmer Angel Otom and para javelin thrower Cendy Asusano.
The Nationals Sports Museum, which relocated from the PSC in Malate, Manila to the Pasig facility last year, features memorabilia from the country’s best athletes, among them from eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, Efren Bata Reyes, Philippine men’s basketball and baseball teams, to list a few.
Since its first appearance in 1988 Seoul, the Philippines has won only two bronzes thanks to Dumapong (powerlifting) and Medina (single class 8, table tennis) with 21 para athletes competing in nine editions.