Courtesy: PSC-PPC Media Pool
Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan once again proved his class on the continental stage, capturing the Philippines’ first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 5th Asian Para Games with a dominant performance in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 on Monday.
Gawilan touched the wall in 4 minutes, 56.72 seconds to claim the gold at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium, beating China’s Zhang Yilong, who settled for silver in 5:01.36, and Singapore’s Wei Soong Toh, who took bronze in 5:24.23.
The victory marked another milestone for the 35-year-old seasoned Paralympian, who secured his third consecutive Asian Para Games title in the event, following his triumphs in 2018 and 2023. It also brought his Asian Para Games gold medal tally to five.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Gawilan is entitled to a ₱1 million cash incentive for winning the gold medal in the Asian Para Games.
Gawilan’s success in 2018 extended beyond the freestyle event, as he also captured gold in the men’s 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter individual medley. Across the last two editions of the continental meet, he added two silver medals and a bronze to his growing collection of international honors.
The proud son of Samal Island, Davao del Norte, will return to action on Tuesday at 6:02 p.m., seeking another podium finish in the men’s 200-meter individual medley SM7. Gawilan won bronze in the event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
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