Paralympic bronze medalist Josephine Medina passes away

Josephine Medina passed away on the day everyone is remembering Ian Lariba.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Right on the third anniversary of Ian Lariba's passing, another Filipina table tennis star left us.

Josephine Medina, who like Lariba became a champion for the sport, passed away at the age of 51.

The Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled confirmed the development on Thursday night.

"PHILSPADA and the Philippine Paralympic Committee would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Ms. Josephine Medina," PHILSPADA said in a statement.

Medina qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympics similar to how Lariba made it to the regular Olympics also in Rio De Janeiro that same year.

Medina would go on to break a 16-year drought for a Philippine medal in the Paralympics, further fueling the passion for the sport.

"Josephine, Ate Jo to many, became an inspiration to the table tennis community when she won a bronze medal during the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games," PHILSPADA further said.

Apart from the Paralympic bronze, she also won the 2017 ASEAN Para Games gold in Kuala Lumpur and the 2018 Asian Para Games silver in Jakarta.

She would have been the heavy favorite had the Philippines push through with the 2020 ASEAN Para Games, but the event was canceled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You will be missed by your table tennis family. May your soul rest in peace, Jo," the Philippine Table Tennis Federation said in a separate statement.

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