PH Paddler Medina, other para-athletes from Rio 2016 honored in Malaysia

Honors for Filipinos from Rio did not end with Hidilyn Diaz bagging the silver medal at Rio 2016 as Filipina paddler Josephine Medina, who won bronze at the Rio Paralympics, was honored along with 31 other para-athletes from Southeast Asia at the recently-concluded Asean Heroes Gifting Ceremony in Sepang, Malaysia.

A TRUE HONOR. Not only did she get bronze at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Josephine Medina was also honored at the Asean Heroes Gifting Ceremony in Sepang, Malaysia. Photo taken by Richard Kalocsai, grabbed from ITTF website

Low-cost carrier AirAsia, organizers of the Asean Heroes Gifting Ceremony, gave away free flights to all Asean Paralympic Medalists, including Medina. She was given three years worth of free flights for bringing home a bronze medal at the recently-concluded Rio Paralympic Games. Gold medalists were given a lifetime of free flights, while silver medalists got five years worth.

Apart from the free flights, medalists also received a special AirAsia BIG card in gold, silver, and bronze that allows them to fly to more than 120 destiantions within the AirAsia and AirAsia X network.

“Once again, Asean athletes have made the region proud by showing we can be a serious contender on the world stage,” said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes in a statement. “It is my great pleasure to present these fine sportsmen and sportswomen with free flights in recognition of their amazing achievements.”

Medina’s bronze is the country’s second medal at the Paralympics, following the bronze won by powerlifter Adeline Dumapong at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

 

Source: Inquirer.net, Malaya, ABS-CBN News