Iloilo athletes win 2 golds in boxing-less ?Olympics?
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Oct 2007
ILOILO CITY ? For the first time, Filipino athletes did not bank on boxing as main producer of medals in world games unlike in the regular World Summer Olympic Games.
This time, two athletes from Iloilo SPED-Integrated School for Exceptional Children amassed gold medals in powerlifting and gymnastics in the recently held 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China where boxing was not included among the medal events.
Powerlifter Louies John Decolongon clinched the gold medal in bench press while the country?s lone entry in gymnastics Christine Joy Galura gave the Filipinos their second gold medal in the nine-day hostilities with a theme ?I know I can.?
Nemia Yao (L) and Joby John Pama.
Coach Edvin Cabrera said other Iloilo SPED students in the 80-athelets RP contingent who shined in the Olympiad for mentally challenged youths were swimmers Carmella Rose Villaruel, Julius Granada, Tanya Denamarca, Nelson Magahum, Julius Granada who copped four silvers in the 4x50 meters freestyle and bronze medal in 50-meter backstroke.
The tandem of Nemia Yao and Joby John Pama also gave the country silver medal in table tennis mixed doubles.
Brilliant fireworks, colorful costumes, stirring performances and banners that read "Thank you, Shanghai" were the joyous scenes at the closing ceremony of the Games.
The China Daily reported that the Flame of Hope, ignited in Shanghai Stadium on October 2, burnt out as athletes of different races and nations hugged each other at Jiangwan Stadium, marking the conclusion of the event held for the first time in an Asian city.
GREATEST GAMES
After five years of preparation, Shanghai presented the world what many said was the greatest Special Olympics and provided people with intellectual disabilities an arena to display their abilities and talents.
Accompanied by Chinese Special Olympian Zhao Zengzeng, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng handed over Special Olympics flags to the hosts of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games - Athens, Greece - and co-chairs of 2009 winter games to be hosted in Idaho, US.
Tim Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, however, preferred to call the closing ceremony a "reopening".
"We are opening, here at the ceremony, the commitment to growing Special Olympics throughout China under the leadership of Special Olympics China and the China Disabled Persons' Federation in partnership with our global community and supporters," he said at a media briefing prior to the ceremony.
China has made the commitment to recruit as many as 1 million intellectually disabled athletes for its Special Olympics program by 2010, almost double the current figure.
Shriver thanked Shanghai and China during the 80-minute closing ceremony, which was divided into three chapters - "Connection of Hearts", "Happy You and Me", and "Linger in Eternity" as well as a closing part called "Sunshine Family".
CULTURES
Exhibiting a combination of Chinese and foreign cultures and civilizations, the ceremony was performed by performers with and without disabilities to form a colossal logo of the Special Olympics.
The achievements of mentally disadvantaged individuals were highlighted as hundreds of children stunned the audience with skilled performances in roller skating, gymnastics and hula basic acrobatics.
The climax was when Gao Qingyu, a disabled girl, descended on the stage to fulfill her dream of flying, representing a shared dream of all underprivileged people.
The ceremony also witnessed a host of celebrities including Jose Carreras of Spain, Marria Lucia of Italy, Michael Learns to Rock of Denmark, and Kenny G of the United States.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025