Angel Otom

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Angel Otom
Otom in 2024
Personal information
Full nameAngel Mae Otom
National team Philippines
Born (2003-06-30) June 30, 2003 (age 21)
Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke
ClassificationsS5, SM5
Medal record
Women's paralympic swimming
Representing  Philippines
Asian Youth Para Games
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Manama 50 m backstroke S5
ASEAN Para Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia 50 m freestyle S5
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia 50 m backstroke S5
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia 50 m butterfly S5
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia 200 m individual medley SM5
Gold medal – first place 2022 Solo 50 m freestyle S5
Gold medal – first place 2022 Solo 50 m backstroke S5
Gold medal – first place 2022 Solo 50 m butterfly S5

Angel Mae Otom (born June 30, 2003) is a Filipino para-swimmer who competed in the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Early life and education

Otom was born on June 30, 2003.[1] Her father Marlou is a tatoo artist and her mother Mila is a teacher.[2] She has congenital upper limb deficiency[3] – no left arm and an underdeveloped right arm.[3][4] She hails Olongapo which is also her mother's hometown but was born in Meycauayan, Bulacan.[3][5]

She also studied at the Olongapo City National High School and took part at the 2019 Division School Press Conference editorial cartooning contest and drew using her feet.[6]

She studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman–College of Human Kinetics as of 2024.[7]

Career

Otom would become part of the Philippine national para-swimming team in 2019, after taking part at the 2018 Philippine Sports Association for Disabled Athletes (PHILSPADA) National Para Games in Marikina. He first international competition would be the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain where she bagged a bronze in the women's 50m backstroke.[5][8]

Otom have competed in the ASEAN Para Games, particularly in the 2022 and 2023 editions.[2] She won three golds in the former and four in the latter. She also took part in the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.[6]

She took part at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships.[5]

At the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, Otom competed in two events. In the women's 50m backstroke S5 she finished sixth in the final.[9] She likewise reached the final of the 50-meter backstroke S5 event.[4] She finished fifth place after clocking 45.78-seconds, her personal best.[10]

References

  1. ^ "OTOM Angel Mae". Paralympic.org. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Tanker Angel Otom emerges as Philippines' first triple gold winner". BusinessWorld. June 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Malanum, Jean (September 7, 2024). "Otom flag-bearer at Paralympic Games closing ceremony". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Bright future: Young swimmer Angel Otom reaches Paralympic final". Rappler. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Malanum, Jean (May 9, 2023). "Otom, Gawilan qualify for World Para Swimming Championships". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Masoy, Niel Victor (September 3, 2024). "Swimmer Otom makes Paralympics debut". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Malanum, Jean (September 2, 2024). "Swimmer Otom sets eyes on Paralympics gold". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  8. ^ Trinidad, Chino (correspondent), Tiangco, Mel (news anchor) (December 30, 2021). Pinay swimmer na si Angel Otom, wagi ng bronze medal sa 2021 Asian Youth Paralympics sa Bahrain [Pinay swimmer Angel Otom, wins bronze medal at the 2021 Asian Youth Paralympics in Bahrain]. 24 Oras (TV broadcast) (in Filipino). GMA Integrated News. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "Otom finishes 6th in 50m backstroke as China sweeps podium". ABS-CBN News. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  10. ^ "Otom sets new personal-best, finishes 5th in women's 50m butterfly". ABS-CBN News. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.