By MARK REY MONTEJO
Para archer Agustina Bantiloc impressed in her Paralympic debut after hitting her season-best in the women’s individual compound event of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games Thursday, Aug. 29 (Manila time).
Competing at the famed Hotel des Invalides in the French capital, Bantiloc displayed her steely nerves and tallied 618 points to take the 28th place of the said event.
The ranking round, which has 720 points as the highest output, is where archers have to strike 72 arrows — divided into 12 ends with six arrows per set where they have two minutes to shoot all of it — at 70 meters away.
Bantiloc, 56, will face off with No. 5 Jane Karla Gögel (691) of Brazil in 1/16 elimination round Friday, Aug. 30.
The pride of Baguio City must overcome her tough rivals to inch closer for a coveted podium finish.
Meanwhile, Turkish Öznur Cüre raised the bar by breaking the world record after listing 704 points to secure the top spot while Indian Sheetal Devi (703) and Iranian Fatemeh Hemmati (696) sealed the second and third seats, respectively.
Bantiloc was selected as the country’s flag-bearer along with swimmer Ernie Gawilan in the Para Games opener last Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Gawilan will make his Paris debut in the men’s 200m Medley SM7 on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Meanwhile, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan begins his quest in the men’s 400m T52 heats this Friday, Aug. 30.
