Angel Otom Explained

Angel Otom
Fullname:Angel Mae Otom
Classification:S5, SM5
Strokes:Backstroke
Birth Date:30 June 2003
Birth Place:Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines
Show-Medals:yes

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 tattoo artist and her mother Mila is a teacher. She has congenital upper limb deficiency[2] – no left arm and an underdeveloped right arm.[2] She hails Olongapo which is also her mother's hometown but was born in Meycauayan, Bulacan.[2] [3]

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.

She currently studies Sports Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman–College of Human Kinetics as of 2024.[4]

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.[3] [5]

Otom competed in the ASEAN Para Games, particularly in the 2022 and 2023 editions.[6] She won three golds in the former and four in the latter. She also took part in the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.[7]

She took part at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships.[3]

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.[8] She likewise reached the final of the 50-meter backstroke S5 event.[9] She finished fifth place after clocking 45.78-seconds, her personal best.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: OTOM Angel Mae . . 7 September 2024.
  2. News: Malanum . Jean . Otom flag-bearer at Paralympic Games closing ceremony . 7 September 2024 . Philippine News Agency . 7 September 2024.
  3. News: Malanum . Jean . Otom, Gawilan qualify for World Para Swimming Championships . Philippine News Agency. 7 September 2024 . 9 May 2023.
  4. News: Malanum . Jean . Swimmer Otom sets eyes on Paralympics gold . 7 September 2024 . Philippine News Agency . 2 September 2024.
  5. Trinidad, Chino (correspondent), Tiangco, Mel (news anchor). 30 December 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 . TV broadcast. fil. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907135031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkj6x2sf7wg. 7 September 2024. 24 Oras. GMA Integrated News. YouTube.
  6. News: Tanker Angel Otom emerges as Philippines’ first triple gold winner . 7 September 2024 . BusinessWorld . 7 June 2023.
  7. News: Masoy . Niel Victor . Swimmer Otom makes Paralympics debut . 7 September 2024 . The Manila Times . 3 September 2024 . en.
  8. News: Otom finishes 6th in 50m backstroke as China sweeps podium . 7 September 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 4 September 2024.
  9. News: Bright future: Young swimmer Angel Otom reaches Paralympic final . 7 September 2024 . Rappler . 3 September 2024.
  10. News: Otom sets new personal-best, finishes 5th in women's 50m butterfly . 7 September 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 7 September 2024.