Medina blows bid for bronze

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines’ Josephine Medina gave her best but failed to nail the bronze medal in the women’s singles Class 8 table tennis of the 2012 London Paralympics yesterday.

The 42-year-old Medina took a 3-0 loss to Josefin Abrahamsson of Sweden and missed the chance to give the Philippines its first medal in the Paralympics since the 2000 Sydney edition.

Abrahamsson, 32, took the silver medal in the same event in 2008 in Beijing, losing to Laos-born Thu Kamkasomphou of France in the finals. This year she settled for the bronze.

Kamkasomphou was denied a second straight gold medal when she was beaten by China’s Mao Jingdian, 3-1, in the final match that was played at around 2 a.m. yesterday (Manila time).

Medina is a silver medalist in the Guangzhou Asian Paragames in 2010. 

Since 1988, the Philippines has only won one bronze in the Paralympics courtesy of powerlifter Adeline Dumapong.

Filipino Andy Avellana was vying in the men’s high jump at presstime yesterday even if his personal best of 1.55 meters ranks only sixth in the field of seven.

Marites Burce will try her luck in the women’s javelin on Sept. 5 while Roger Tapia, after failing to advance to the finals of the men’s 200m run, will still vie in the 100m on Sept. 6.

Pinoy trackster Isidro Vildosola did not advance in the men’s 1,500m.

Agustin Kitan did not do well in the men’s 52 kg class in powerlifting while Achel Guion landed sixth in the women’s 44 kg class. Adeline Ancheta will compete in the +82.5 kg class on Sept. 5.

Swimmer Bea Roble will see action in the 100m freestyle on the penultimate day of competition on Sept. 8.