FILE–The Philippines’ Ernie Gawilan celebrates after winning in the final of the men’s 400m freestyle-S7 at the Aquatic Sports Arena in the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre during the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
PARIS—Ernie Gawilan held his punches in storming through his heat to reach the final of the men’s 400 freestyle S7 in the 17th Paralympic Games.
The Filipino para swimming ace touched the wall in 5:00.13 amid the cheers of a supportive crowd here at the Paris La Defense Arena and wound up third overall on his way to the medal race late Monday evening.
“I didn’t give my all and so were the other swimmers in my heat,” said Gawilan in Filipino. “But this will set the tone on how I will perform in the final.”
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Overall, Gawilan placed third after the qualifying heats, installing himself in a favorable position in the middle lanes.
Although Gawilan, who lacks both legs along with an underdeveloped left limb, remains at a disadvantage since all of his opponents could stand up, there’s no trace of discouragement in his aura.
“So far, I feel good. I will pour everything I have into the final,” said
Gawilan, on his second tour of duty in the Paralympics and a double gold medalist in the 400m free at the Asian Para Games.
Favorites Inaki Basiloff of Argentina and Ukrainians Andrii Trusov and Yurii Shenhur likewise propelled themselves to the gold-medal race. All of them were in the same heat as Gawilan.
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Basiloff, the gold medalist in the 200m individual medley SM7 where Gawilan also competed, ranked seventh out of eight qualifiers (5:17.33) and Trusov, the current world champion and silver performer in the 200m IM, placed sixth (5:16.03).
The bronze medalist, Shenhur, barely made the cut in 5:19.46.
Completed the final cast are top qualifier Austin Evan of the United States (4:56.54), second placer Aleksei Ganiuk (same time) from the Neutral Paralympic Athletes team, Italy’s Federico Bicelli (5:05.51) and China’s Huang Xianquan (5:16.03).
The final is set Monday (11:30 p.m. Manila time).