Filipino para swimmer Gary Bejino. PSC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gary Bejino’s campaign in the Tokyo Paralympic Games has come to an end after he failed to qualify for the medal round of the men’s 100m backstroke S6 Friday at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
The Filipino bet finished last among 20 competitors clocking in at 1:28.87 in Heat 2, eliminating him from competition as only the eight fastest swimmers qualify for the finals.
This was Bejino’s last event in the Tokyo Games, having also participated in the men’s 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke, men’s 50m butterfly and men’s 200m individual medley races
China’s Jia Hongguang topped the heats with a time of 1:14.15 in Heat 3 while Argentina’s Matias de Andrade came in at second overall clocking in at 1:14.38 in Heat 1.
Dino Sinovcic of Croatia was third overall with a time of 1:16.74 in Heat 2 while China’s Wang Jingang was at fourth as he clocked in at 1:18.20 in Heat 1.
Yang Hong of China placed fifth overall clocking in at 1:18.57 in Heat 3 with the Netherlands’ Thijs van Hofweegen taking sixth place with a time of 1:20.26 in the same preliminary race.
France’s Laurent Chardard took seventh place overall with a time of 1:20.58 in Heat 2 with Spain’s David Sanchez Sierra rounding out the finalists as he clocked in at 1:21.14 in Heat 3 for the eighth spot.
The Philippine delegation in Tokyo was reduced to three after powerlifter Achelle Guion, discus thrower Jeanette Acevedo and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin all pulled out due to positive COVID-19 tests.