Asusano retains impressive world ranking

PARIS—Cendy Asusano missed out on a medal in the women’s javelin throw F54 on Saturday but retained her impressive world ranking at the 17th Paralympic Games here.

Asusano threw the spear to a personal best of 15.05 meters on her first attempt, finishing fourth in her event as Team Philippines wrapped up its campaign in these Games for the finest physically challenged athletes in the world. World champion Nurkhon Kurbanova of Uzbekistan reset her own world record with a 21.12-meter heave on her fifth try to secure the gold medal before a massive crowd at the Stade de France, dislodging 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games champion Flor Ugwunwa of Nigeria.

``Target ko na malampasan ang personal best ko. Proud ako sa nagawa ko,’’ said Asusano, who stayed at No. 4 in the para world rankings in her event with the help of coaches Joel Deriada and Bernard Buen.

The pride of Donsol, Sorsogon had a previous best of 14.63 when she placed fourth in the World Para Championships in Kobe, Japan last May. Ugwunwa posted 19.26m for the silver with Iran’s Elham Salehi sealing the bronze medal in 16.24.

Asusano closed out the Philippine campaign under the Philippine Paralympic Committee made up of six athletes, all of them supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

``The performance of our athletes are exceptional with four finals appearances. The local organizing committee’s goal of sustainability was achieved and that’s one thing important with the Paralympic movement,’’ said Team Philippines chef de mission Ral Rosario.The Filipino wheelchair throwing ace qualified in her first Paralympics after recording 14.23m in a fourth-place performance during the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

After beating her personal best, Asusano threw a series of 14.58, 14.71 and 14.47 in three of her last four attempts. Para swimmer Angel Mae Otom will be the country’s flag-bearer during the closing rites on Sunday here at the host nation’s 81,000-seat arena.

Cendy Asusano (right) with coach Bernard Buen