Filipino para swimmer Angel Otom has qualified for the finals in the women’s 50m backstroke – S5 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Otom clocked a time of 44.03 seconds, securing fourth place in Heat 1 and finishing seventh overall in the preliminary round held on Tuesday at the Paris La Defense Arena.
Only the top eight swimmers from the 16 competitors in the preliminary round advanced to the finals, with Otom earning her spot among them. Leading the pack were China’s Lu Dong, who set a time of 39.48 seconds and holds the world and Paralympic record, followed by He Shenggao (41.31 seconds) and Liu Yu (42.59 seconds).
The final race for the women’s 50m backstroke – S5 event is scheduled to take place just past midnight on Wednesday.