MANILA – Achelle “Jinky” Guion bagged two gold medals in the Legends category of the women’s 45kg division at the World Para Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Thursday night.
Guion, a native of Sipalay, Negros Occidental province, registered a total lift of 226kgs, including a best lift of 81kgs in the third round of the category for athletes 45 years old and above. She lifted 70kgs and 75kgs in the first and second rounds, respectively.
The Legends is an additional category in the world championships but has no bearing in the rankings for the Paralympic Games 2024.
“First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the strength to achieve this victory,” said the 51-year-old Guion, a three-time silver medalist at the Asian Para Games, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday.
“I also want to express my gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA), my teammates, coaches, friends and supporters. Thank you so much. Mabuhay Philippines!” added Guion, who served as flag-bearer during the opening ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games in Surakarta, Indonesia.
Guion will be joining Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta (W+86kg) and Marydol Pamati-an (W41kg) in the forthcoming Asian Para Games, which is using the Dubai tournament as a qualifier.
Dumapong-Ancheta, a bronze medalist at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, is currently ranked No. 5 in her division while Pamatian, a double-gold medalist at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, is No. 8.
The top 8 athletes per division in the men’s and women’s will qualify for the Asian Para Games, scheduled from October 22 to 28, 2023 in China.
The World Championships is taking a one-day break and will resume on August 26 with the men’s 54kg division, where Romeo Tayawa is set to see action. Denesia Esnara (women’s 55kg) and Gregorio Payat Jr. (men’s 59kg) are scheduled to compete on Aug. 27. (PNA)