Lhey Marie Manginsay claimed the women’s singles title at the 8th Philippine National Para Games (PNPG), drawing comparisons to late Paralympics table tennis bronze medalist Josephine Medina, whom Manginsay cites as an inspiration for her own aspirations in the sport.

The 21-year-old from Zamboanga Sibugay defeated national team player Minnie Cadag, 3-0, in the Class 10 category finals, held on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

“In one tournament, [those who watched me] said that I played like her (Medina),” Manginsay said after the match. “It motivates me to work harder and aim for what she achieved.”

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Medina won the Philippines’ second-ever Paralympic medal in table tennis, earning bronze in the women’s singles Class 8 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Bridge accident

Manginsay’s journey to the Para Games was far from straightforward. In 2019, she fell from a hanging bridge, losing full mobility in her right arm after surgery and therapy. Once a right-handed player, Manginsay adapted by switching to her left hand, demonstrating resilience and skill in her comeback.

Her efforts paid off at the Para Games, where she also collected two silver medals—one in the women’s team event alongside Marie Nina Carmelotes, and another in mixed doubles with Rommel Lucencio.

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While Manginsay and her teammates narrowly missed gold in these events, she says her primary goal was to win the singles title.

“This is my first time here at the PNPG, and I’m happy to … win the singles PNPG champ Manginsay inspired by late Paralympics medalist. That was my goal coming here,” said Manginsay, a social work student at Sibugay Technical Institute Inc.

Now, Manginsay has her sights set on competing internationally, with dreams of representing the Philippines on the Paralympic stage.

“It’s a dream for me to play internationally, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Paralympics,” she said.