Asian Para Games: Cyril Ongcoy takes solace in new personal best after losing bronze

MANILA — Cyril Cloyd Ongcoy endured a heartbreaking result in his first Asian Para Games stint, after what appeared to be a bronze medal slipped from his grasp overnight. 

Ongcoy, 23, clocked four minutes and 23.19 seconds in the men’s 1,500-meter T12/T13 final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Wednesday night — a new personal best for the runner.

Ongcoy was elevated to third in Wednesday evening’s results following the disqualification of Uzbekistan’s Fakhriddin Khamraev. By Thursday morning, however, a jury had overturned that ruling, restoring the Uzbek as champion and returning the Filipino to fourth.

The reversal ended what the Philippine delegation had briefly celebrated as its first athletics medal of the Games.

“Ayos lang po,” said Ongcoy. “Babawi na lang po ako sa next game ko.”

“Masakit man dahil fourth place tayo at hindi pinalad na makuha ang bronze medal, masaya pa rin ako dahil ibinigay ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para sa ating bansa,” he added.

“Hindi man tayo pinalad sa medalya, nakamit naman natin ang bagong personal best,” Ongcoy also said.

Born with partial visual impairment affecting both eyes, Ongcoy discovered his love for running as a child. His explanation for pursuing athletics is simple.

“Simula po noong bata pa ako, mahilig na po akong tumakbo. Kaya naisipan ko pong maging athlete,” he said.

He joined the national team only in 2024 and works with running guide Ritchie Velez Estampador. Kuala Lumpur, which will host the ASEAN Para Games in October 2027, is his next target.