Swimmer Takes Home PH’s First Gold Medal in Asian Para Games

Para Swimmer Ernie Gawilan has done something that’s never been done before: give the country’s first ever gold medal in the Asian Para Games.

With a time of 2:52.43, Gawilan was able to dominate the men’s 200-meter individual medley SM7. The event was held at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium.

Second Gold Medal for PH

Kim Ian Chi followed Gawilan’s gold with another one by winning the mixed singles TPB10 event in ten-pin bowling.

Chi averaged 231.30 to get the gold. While Korea’s Hong Wonju (229.80) got the silver medal and Thailand’s Raiwin Phissitthanakul (221.70) and Singapore’s Tan Swang Hee (221.70) were tied for third place.

Thanks to Gawilan and Chi, the Philippine team in the Para Games has already surpassed their five-silver, five-bronze finish in Incheon, South Korea back in 2014.

Gawilan was also able to snatch a silver medal in the men’s 50-meter freestyle SM7 with a time of 31.93 seconds. Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong won gold with a time of 29.01 seconds while Narayan earned bronze in the event (32.16 seconds).

Para Powerlifting

Another silver was added to PH’s medal tally because of Achelle Guion. She placed second in the women’s 45-kg powerlifting.

Guion lifted 67-kg, besting Kazakhstan’s Soludkhina Alina (66-kg). China’s Guo Lingling lifted 115-kg, setting the world record and bagging the gold medal.

While bronze medals were each won by Gary Bejino in the men’s 100-meter backstroke and Arthus Bucay in the men’s time trial of para cycling.

The Philippines is currently 9th in the medal table as of this writing.

China tops the list with 22 golds, 8 silvers, and 14 bronzes through the first two days of competition.

via ABS-CBN News