NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – An 11-year-old legless swimmer from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental shone anew in the recently concluded Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet held in San Jose, Antique on March 1-8.
Zach Lucas Obsioma, competing in the orthopedically handicapped (OH) category, snatched three gold medals in the swimming events of the para games after dominating the 50-meter freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 50m breaststroke at the WVRAA Meet.
Obsioma, a graduating elementary student at Special Education (SPED)-Cadiz Center, was diagnosed with phocomelia syndrome since birth.
Phocomelia is a congenital condition that involves malformation of human arms and legs, which result in a flipper-like appendage, according to medical references.
Obsioma’s victory continues his winning streak, having also clinched three golds at the WVRAA Meets in 2024 and 2023, validating his status anew as the region’s swimming sensation.
During the Palarong Pambansa held in Cebu in July last year, he also hauled two gold and a silver, prompting the local government of Cadiz to honor him as a “modern sports hero.”
His consistent excellence in swimming has made him a symbol of perseverance and strength, inspiring many young athletes in Cadiz and other provinces.
In an interview with Rappler on Saturday, March 8, Obsioma said he was overwhelmed with his own achievements.
He attributed his feat to his trainers, Max Masculino and Mathew Agosto, who persevered in training him everyday in Cadiz.
Enduring the tedious tasks of going to school and training everyday is no joke, he claimed.
But, he stressed, he has no choice but to really train hard because he wants to achieve his dream to be included in the pool of national para athletes someday.
Competing for Palarong Pambansa in Laoag, Ilocos Norte this May 24 to June 2 serves as another immense challenge for the legless Obsioma.
He wants to surpass his own records of two gold and a silver in Palarong Pambansa in Cebu last year.
“Hoping to cop three gold medals in Laoag this time,” he quipped.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said Obsioma is the greatest representation of persons with disability who continue to defy odds.
“He is resilient and brave, hence, he is an extraordinary being that Cadiz could be proud of. His resiliency and optimism in life are really worth emulating,” the mayor added.
The city government, vowed Escalante, will always support Obsioma, whose fervent dream is really “to conquer international pools someday.* – Rappler.com