Filipino tankers Gawilan, Bejino bags PH's first medals in 4th Asian Para Games

Para swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino notched a bronze medal apiece for the Philippines to enter the medal tally of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China on Monday, October 23.

Gawilan failed to defend his title in the men's 200-meter individual medley SM7 title but still secured a podium finish after finishing third at the Hangzhou Olympic Center (HOC) Aquatics Center.

"Hindi ko man po na-depensa ang event ko, nagpapasalamat na rin ako na nakapagbigay ako ng unang medalya muli sa bayan sa Asian Para Games," Gawilan said.

(Even though I was not able to defend my event, I'm still thankful that I was able to give the first medal again for our country in the Asian Para Games.)

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympian clocked two minutes and 52.82 seconds to claim the bronze behind China's and gold medalist Huang Xianquan, who registered 2:48.34.

Huang's fellow Chinese tanker Yang Huaqiang placed second with 2:50.73 recorded time.

The legless Gawilan returns to action on Tuesday morning, October 24, in the heats of men's 400-meter freestyle – an event he aims to rule for the second time in a row.

He is also the reigning 100-meter backstroke titlist.

Meanwhile, Bejino tallied 1:08.18 in the men's 100m freestyle S6 for a third-place finish and gave the Southeast Asian side its second medal in the quadrennial meet for differently abled athletes.

Bejino, who lost one arm and one leg in a childhood accident, spoiled a potential China sweep of the competition after beating Tang Qian, who beat him in an earlier heat.

Qian settled for fourth with 1:12.58 while his compatriots Luo Jinbiao and Jia Hongguang came first and second, respectively.

Touching the wall in 1:08.18, Jinbiao shattered the previous Asian Para Games record for the gold before Hongguang followed in 1:08.93 for the silver.