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Cadiznon legless swimmer shines anew with 2 Palaro gold medals

Zach Lucas Obsioma and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at Panaad in May’s WVRRA 2024.* Bilis Cadiz photo

A 10-year-old legless swimmer from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental shone anew at the recently-concluded Palarong Pambansa 2024 held in Cebu City.

Zach Lucas Obsioma, a victim of the rare disease of phocomelia, snatched two gold and a silver in swimming boys (amputee category) at Para Games of Palaro.

The Max Fermales and Lyn Rabuya-mentored tanker nabbed gold medals both in the 50-meter backstroke and 50-meter freestyle, and a silver medal in the 50-meter breaststroke.

Zach, a Grade 5 student at Special Education (SPED) – Cadiz Center, manifested interest in swimming just last year. He started training at Laura’s Beach Resort in Cadiz, until he saw himself competing at the Provincial Meet at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod in March last year. There, he won, until he reached the Palarong Pambansa 2023 held in Marikina City, where he also won three gold medals.

Last May, he became a swimming sensation at the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) swimming competition held at the St. John’s Institute – Ayala Campus in Talisay City.

With his feat at this year’s Palaro, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said Cadiz is again “beyond proud” of their legless swimmer.

“For two years now, Zach never failed to give us honor despite his physical disability,” the mayor said, in a press statement issued by the Cadiz City government.

“Zach is truly an inspiration among Cadiznons and Negrosanons as well,” Escalante added.*

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