Courtesy: Triathlon Association of the Philippines
Against relentless rain and a grueling course, Cebu’s Alex Silverio dug deep to capture a hard-earned bronze medal in the men’s PTS4 class at the Para Triathlon Asian Championships 2026 on Sunday at Subic Bay Freeport.
With days of continuous rain making the swim venue unsafe and unsuitable for competition, Triathlon Philippines modified the triathlon into a duathlon race, which consisted of a 2.5-kilometer run, 20-kilometer bike leg, and a 5-kilometer run.
The change presented an even tougher challenge, but Silverio, who won a silver in the 2024 edition in Chiba, Japan, refused to be discouraged.
“Talagang risky yung course kasi umuulan, kaya binuhos ko na yung lahat,” said Silverio.
The one-armed para athlete powered through the rain-soaked course and faced a strong field of Paralympians from Japan, including reigning champion Hideki Uda and Keiya Kaneko, who eventually defended their gold and silver medals in Subic.
Hideki topped the men’s PTS4 category in 1:01:21, followed by Kaneko in 1:06:41 and then Silverio 1:08:36.
“Itong Asian Championships, talagang memorable kasi aside sa kalaban ko ay dalawang Paralympians, hindi yan basta-basta, kapag nakapasok ka ng Paralympics, hindi yan basta-basta. Ginawa ko na lang talaga ang lahat, pinush ko na – kahit nagpulikat na ako sa third lap, hindi ko na lang inintindi hanggang sa matapos basta secured na yung bronze medal para sa atin,” said Silverio, who lost his left arm in a motorcycle accident in 2013.
“Napatunayan ko na kaya natin – kaya nating makipagsabayan sa mga Paralympians, sa mga top elite para athletes ng Asia, lalo na kapag sumakto yung suporta ng NSA, mga taong sumusuporta at nagtitiwala sa’yo, gagawin mo talaga yung best mo – 101-102% all out na,” he added.
The unwavering support of his family, his coaches and fellow Cebuanos, as well as the entire nation fueled Silverio to put up a gutsy and inspiring performance all the way to the finish line.
“During the race, tumatakbo na lang sa isip ko ay yung family ko, para sa kanila ito. Then, para rin sa aking coaches na sina Roland and Joana Remolino, tapos yung sponsor namin na si coach Jeremy Go, para sa kanila ito. Ginagalingan ko para rin sa NSA namin, sa TriPhil ni President Tom Carrasco,” Silverio shared.
Meanwhile, Jake Lacaba and Raul Angoluan both placed fourth in the men’s PTS2 and PTS3 categories, respectively; Cedei Abellana and Leonardo Acosta finished fifth and sixth in the men’s PTS4; blind twins Jerome and Joshua Nelmida ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the men’s PTVI class, while Edison Badillo was marked DNF in the men’s PTS2 division.
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