Filipino para swimmer Ariel Joseph Alegarbes captured the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S14 event at the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan.
The 22-year-old athlete clocked 1 minute and 1.56 seconds, narrowly defeating South Korea’s Kang Sungho, who finished in 1:01.61, and Thailand’s Natirat Meeprom, who took bronze in 1:02.08.
Alegarbes discovered swimming at age 12 while coping with asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia.
He dedicated his breakthrough victory to the Philippines, his coaches and fellow athletes, as well as his late cousin, whom he remembered following his triumph.
The victory gave the Philippines its second gold medal at the Games and strengthened Alegarbes’ ambition to compete at the Paralympic Games.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 21, 2026
