A Cadiznon para-athlete bagged three gold medals in elementary swimming at the Palarong Pambansa-Para Games in Marikina City last week.
Zach Lucas Obsioma, a legless swimmer from Brgy. Zone 4, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, bested para-athletes from other regions in the country in three swimming divisions in the elementary boys level.
The grade 4 student from Special Education (SPED) Center-Cadiz was legless since birth due to “phocomelia syndrome”.
Phocomelia syndrome is a rare birth defect characterized, in most instances, by severe malformation of the extremities.
Infants born with this condition will have arms and/or legs that are severely shortened or sometimes completely absent.
Obsioma took interest in swimming March this year prior to the Provincial Meet, a press release from the Cadiz City government said.
He practiced at the pool of a beach resort in Cadiz daily.
Because of this dedication, Obsioma bagged the gold in 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter breaststroke, and 50-meter free style.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was ecstatic with Obsioma’s feat saying “indeed, he is our ‘peerless’ sports hero”.
“For me, Zach ain’t just special, but an extraordinary kid,” Escalante said, adding, “Cadiznons are so proud of him.”
Obsioma was recognized during a flag ceremony of the city government at the Cadiz Arena on Monday, Aug. 7.
Escalante thanked SPED Center-Cadiz for honing Obsioma’s skill in swimming.*