Philippines records best-ever medal haul in ASEAN Para Games history at 13th edition in Thailand

Team Philippines sent a 216-strong delegation to the recently concluded 13th ASEAN Para Games, which were held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from January 20 to 26, underscoring the country’s continued commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and athlete development in international para sports.

The Philippine contingent—composed of seasoned medalists, rising stars, coaches, and support staff—delivered a historic performance, posting the best medal haul in the nation’s history at the ASEAN Para Games. Team Philippines finished the competition with an impressive 45 gold medals, 37 silver medals, and 52 bronze medals, for a total of 134 medals won by 211 Filipino athletes, marking the country’s most successful showing since it first joined the Games in 2001.

The achievement surpassed the country’s previous best performance at the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia in 2023, where the Philippines collected 34 gold, 33 silver, and 50 bronze medals. This significant improvement highlighted the depth and balance of the current national para-athlete pool.

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Several sports led the medal charge for the Philippines, with athletics emerging as the top contributor after hauling in 16 gold medals. Swimming followed closely with 13 gold medals, while chess added another 12 gold medals, showcasing the team’s versatility across both physical and mind sports disciplines.

Chief of mission Goody Custodio credited the team’s focused preparation and successful integration of young athletes as key factors behind the strong showing.

“I think the key was that both our athletes and coaches were able to really focus. At the same time, we were able to integrate young para-athletes into the team,” Custodio said during a media interaction.

Host Thailand topped the medal table of the 13th ASEAN Para Games, with the Philippines finishing in fourth place with 45 gold medals. pic.twitter.com/3MySVZiCfu

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) January 26, 2026

Custodio emphasized that a significant portion of the medal haul came from emerging talents, particularly in classifications involving visually impaired athletes, signaling a bright future for Philippine para sports.

“Most of our medalists are actually young talents. Of course, our veterans are still there and they continue to deliver, but a big portion of our success came from new talents coming from different classes, especially among visually impaired athletes. That’s where many of our medalists came from,” he added.

Beyond performances on the field of play, Custodio highlighted the crucial role of institutional and community support in driving the team’s success. He credited the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), and partners from the private sector for providing essential resources and encouragement to the athletes.

“The biggest takeaway is the importance of support—from our sponsors like the PSC and MVP Sports, and also from the media. Just by releasing the results and medal tallies, the athletes already feel the support,” Custodio said.

“Even their families back in the Philippines were able to follow them through videos and updates, which gives them strength. That kind of support really matters to our athletes,” he concluded.

Prior to the start of the Games, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio announced additional incentives to recognize the efforts of the country’s para-athletes and coaches. All participants were assured of a ₱6,000 bonus, on top of the standard government incentives mandated under Republic Act 10699, also known as the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act.

Under the incentive program, gold medalists will receive ₱150,000, silver medalists ₱75,000, and bronze medalists ₱30,000, providing tangible recognition for the athletes’ dedication, resilience, and outstanding achievements on the regional stage.

With its record-breaking performance at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, Team Philippines not only reaffirmed its growing stature in para sports across Southeast Asia but also laid a strong foundation for future international competitions, driven by youth, sustained support, and a culture of inclusion and excellence.

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