Courtesy: Philippine Para Swimming
Paralympians Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom will spearhead the Philippine para swimming team’s 5th Asian Para Games campaign which begins on Monday in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Swimming Paralympians Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom are set to lead the 13-member Philippine national para swimming team at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Gawilan, a two-time Asian Para Games gold medalist in the men’s 400m freestyle, is aiming for a third consecutive title in the event. He also hopes to add to his medal haul in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7, where he won bronze at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, as well as in the men’s 100m backstroke S7.
“Sana madepensahan ko pa rin yung 400m freestyle ko, lalong-lalo na ngayon na may mga bago rin from China. Marami rin silang bagong atleta, kaya dikitan siguro yung laban ngayon. Pero may tiwala naman ako sa training na ginawa namin bago kami sumabak dito. Makikita na lang sa laban,” said the 35-year-old Gawilan, a three-time Paralympian, who competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, 2020+1 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
The 35-year old proud native of Samal, Davao del Norte, is also drawing motivation from a new chapter in his life as a first-time father. Beyond defending his title, Gawilan hopes to prove that age is just a number and that he can still compete with younger swimmers.
“Yung baby ko yung nagbibigay sa akin ng inspiration para muling manalo. Gusto ko ring patunayan na sa 35 years na edad ko, kaya ko pa ring mag-perform sa swimming, lalong-lalo na sa long distance. Gusto kong ipakita sa mga may edad na kaya pa rin nating makipagsabayan kahit na may katandaan na,” Gawilan said.
Meanwhile, Otom is hoping to make a splash on her second Asian Para Games after coming away without a medal in her debut at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China.
Classified under the S5 category, Otom will compete in four events in Aichi-Nagoya: the women’s 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, and 50m freestyle, as well as the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay (20 points). She will team up with compatriots Gary Bejino, Marco Tinamisan, and Beariza Roble in the relay.
“Since nag-open po yung mga events ko, gusto ko talagang mag-aim ng medal kasi ito yung magiging unang Asian Para Games ko na makakalaro ako at may laro ako,” said the 23-year-old Otom.
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