FIDE Master and Asian Para Games gold medalist Sander Severino died on Saturday in his hometown in Silay, Negros Occidental due to heart failure.
He was 40.
His death came as a shock especially after he came fresh from a three-gold medal romp in the ASEAN Para Games in Nakhonratchasima, Thailand just last week.
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Severino topped the Men’s Individual Standard P1 and Men’s Individual Blitz P1, and was part of the Men’s Team Standard P1 that also bagged the gold as the Philippines finished fourth overall with a total haul of 45 golds, 37 silvers, and 52 bronzes.
He was part of the Para Games contingent that will be recognized in the forthcoming San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night set Feb. 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
Philippine Para chess team head coach James Infiesto said Severino has been confined in the hospital for almost a week following his arrival from Thailand.
"Biglang nanghina na lang siya. Kino-complain niya na hirap siyang huminga, then diretso na," said Infiesto in an interview with Judith Caringal of Sports Radio 918.
"Pero matagal na niyang naiku-kuwento na inevitable ang mangyayari sa kanya because of his disability."
The most bemedalled member of the Philippine Para Chess Team, Severino was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of eight that confined him in a wheelchair.
But that didn't deter him from excelling in his sport.
Earning a FIDE Master in 2015, Severino first competed for Team Philippines in the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore where he won two gold medals in the Individual Rapid P1 and as part of Team Rapid P1.
He finally spread his wings the following year in the Jakarta Asian Para Games as he hauled a total of four golds in Individual Rapid P1, Individual Standard P1, Team Standard P1, and Team Rapid P1.
In all, Severino won a total of five golds, a silver, and a bronze in two Asian Games stint, and 12 golds, two silvers, and two bronzes in the ASEAN Games.
During the pandemic in 2020, he ruled the International Physically Disabled Chess Association World Online Chess Rapid Championship by emerging undefeated, including a victory against Igor Yarmanov of Ukraine in the finals.
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