4th Asian Para Games: Gawilan retains crown for PH's first gold, Mangliwan delivers silver
2023-Oct-25 11:00
2024-Jul-19 07:23
Ernie Gawilan delivered the Philippines' first gold medal in the 4th Asian Para Games after dominating the men's 400-meter freestyle S7 event. PHOTO: PSC-POC Media Pool
Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan defended his men's 400-meter freestyle S7 crown to give the Philippines its first gold medal of the 4th Asian Para Games (APG) in Hangzhou, China on Tuesday, October 24.
Gawilan clocked four minutes and 58.29 seconds to claim his fourth APG gold in a dominant fashion at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena.
Silver medalist Toh Wei Soon of Singapore was 13.87 seconds behind the Filipino tanker with 5:12.16 to place second.
China's Huang Xianquan bagged the bronze with 5:16.63 recorded time, beating Niranjan Mukudan of India, who settled for fourth place with 5:16.85.
It was Gawilan's second medal this continental meet after clinching the bronze in the men's 200-meter individual medley S7 on Monday, October 23, to become the country's first multi-medal para-athlete.
"Masayang-masaya po ako dahil nakabawi ako sa pagkatalo ko kahapon," Gawilan, 32 years old, said.
(I'm so happy because I bounced back from loss yesterday.)
"Malaking tuwa ko na hindi lang ako yung unang atleta na nakapagbigay ng unang medalya, ngayon unang ginto na rin. Bihirang-bihira mangyari yun."
(I'm really happy that aside from being the first medal winner for our country, I also won the first gold medal. That rarely happens.)
Returning to action on Thursday, October 26, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympian aims to defend his 100m backstroke crown.
Filipino wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan nailed the country's first silver in the pandemic-delayed quadrennial tiff. (Photo courtesy of SAPGOC)
Meanwhile, the nationals also cracked a silver medal on Day 2 of the quadrennial sporting festivities, thanks to wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan.
Mangliwan finished second in the men's 100m T52 tiff after clocking 18.65 seconds for a new personal best, eclipsing his fourth-place performance in Jakarta 2018.
Japan's Ito Tatsuya tallied 17.41 seconds to shatter the previous Asian Para record and rule the event for the second time in a row.
Jeon Jeongdae completed the podium cast in third place with 18.67 seconds.
"I thank God for this opportunity. First time to get a medal in the Asian Para Games, I couldn't ask for more," the four-time ASEAN Para Games gold winner said.
"Our hard work with coach Joel [Deriada] and Bernard [Ebuen] finally bore fruit," he added.
Gawilan and Mangliwan's production helped the Philippines hike its medal haul to four, including two bronzes, good for the 17th place in the overall tally.