Paralympians Mangliwan, Aceveda unfazed by tough competition in Tokyo

Wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda are ready to face the challenge when they start their respective campaigns in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Mangliwan, tabbed to carry the Philippine flag in the opening ceremony tonight, said they're all aware of the elite opposition in the quadrennial meet but stressed it won't stop their fight.

"Those who quit will never win," he said in Filipino. "That's why we never back out from competitions."

Aceveda shared Mangliwan's sentiment, saying they have prepared well for the contest and they will march into it with nothing but the mission to win.

"If we look at the record of the opponents, they're really strong. But we are also strong as well," said Aceveda, who has been part of the national team for more than 10 years now.

Aceveda acknowledged that she will be competing in a heavyweight field but asserted this is what they are made of.

"They [opponents] are all very well-trained in the country they are from so it's really a battle of champions. But, we will not surrender."

Mangliwan will first see action in the T52 men’s 400-meter race. His other events include the men’s 1,500-meter race on Saturday and the 100-meter sprint, beginning with the heats on September 2 and the finals on a succeeding day. 

Aceveda, meanwhile, is scheduled to vie for a medal on August 31 at the Japan National Stadium.

The International Paralympic Committee and World Para rules state that she and all participants will be blindfolded in the duration of the event to block out whatever feeble light that some athletes might still perceive. This is a means of equalizing the playing field.

"We just wanted to enter the finals and of course, to win. We vow to give our best," said Aceveda.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News