Sander Severino was a decorated para chess athlete for the Philippines, winning several gold medals at the Asian Para Games and the ASEAN Para Games. He passed away on Saturday at the age of 40.
Sander Severino, a FIDE Master and a decorated para chess athlete for the Philippine national team, passed away on Saturday, February 7. He was 40 years old.
His coach, James Infiesto, confirmed the news.
"My heart is shattered for our fallen comrade, Sander Severino. We shared so many dreams for the team, so many battles still waiting to be fought side by side," Infiesto posted on social media.
"The pain of losing you is heavy, yet we surrender to God’s will, trusting that He has called you to rest in His loving embrace. You will forever live in our hearts—in every move we make, in every fight we continue, and in every victory we dedicate to the team you loved so dearly."
Severino was a five-time gold medalist at the Asian Para Games, winning four in 2018 Jakarta and one in 2022 Hangzhou.
In the recently concluded 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand, Severino won five gold medals: individual and team standard, individual and team rapid, as well as the team blitz events.
His feat was instrumental in Team Philippines' overall best record of 45 gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games, improving to fourth place.
"We made history at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, when three flags were raised at the same time as our national anthem played—a moment of pride we will never forget," Infiesto shared.
"We did it again at the recently concluded 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand. I never imagined that it would be your final tour of duty in bringing honor and glory to our country."
A native of Silay, Negros Occidental, Severino also earned the distinction of being the inaugural IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association) Online World Chess Champion in 2020.
He grew up relying on a wheelchair, being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at eight years old after a bicycle accident.
That didn't stop him from playing for the country, as Infiesto had called him the "face of Philippine para chess".
"Sobrang saya po kasi pinapatugtog 'yung anthem natin sa ibang bansa, nakakaproud," Severino told One Sports after his medal ceremony in Thailand, sharing what made the team so strong.
"Siguro kasi 'yung chemistry namin as a team, medyo matagal kaming magkasama. Buo 'yung samahan. May tiwala kami sa isa't isa," he shared. "Kung medyo nahihirapan 'yung isa, mapapatingin ka sa kakampi mo, lumalaban sila, mapapalaban ka rin, ibibigay mo 'rin 'yung best mo."
Despite his condition, Severino embraced the team's conditioning routine, which included physical exercise.
"Dahil sa exercise, nakakabagal 'yung paghina ng katawan as a PWD," he said. "Sobrang laking bagay ng exercise."
His advice to those who want to play chess is simple.
"Problem solving lang every day. Puzzles. Exercises. Laro lang ng laro, walang tigil na laro. Experience," he said.
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Para Games, Asian Games, FIBA World Cup, and FIVB World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.