Legless swimmer from Cadiz City bagged three gold medals in elementary swimming at Palaro
LEGLESS SWIMMER – A para-athlete from Cadiz City bagged 3 gold medals in elementary swimming at the Palarong Pambansa – Para Games in Marikina last week.
Zach Lucas Obsioma is a para-athlete from Brgy. Zone 4, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. He bested para-athletes from other regions in the Philippines in 3 swimming divisions in the elementary boys level.
The para-athlete, who is a grade 4 student from Special Education (SPED) Center-Cadiz, was legless since birth because of “phocomelia syndrome”.
Citing a press release from the Cadiz City government, Digicast Negros reported that Zach took interest in swimming March this year prior to the Provincial Meet and he practiced at the pool of a beach resort in Cadiz City every day.
Because of this dedication, the legless swimmer bagged 3 gold medals at the Palarong Pambansa – Para Games — one in 50-meter backstroke, one in 50-meter breaststroke, and one in 50-meter freestyle.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was ecstatic with Zach’s feat and said that the para-athlete is “our ‘peerless’ sports hero”. The city mayor also said that Zach is an “extraordinary kid” and Cadiznons are so proud of him.
Zach was recognized during the flag ceremony of the city government at the Cadiz Arena last August 7, 2023. The city mayor expressed his gratitude to SPED Center-Cadiz for honing Zach’s skill in swimming.
What is a “phocomelia syndrome”?
According to Tampa General Hospital, a “phocomelia syndrome” is a rare birth defect that is characterized, in most instances, by “severe malformation of the extremities”. Infants who are born with this condition will have arms and/or legs that are “severely shortened” or “sometimes completely absent”.
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