HANGZHOU. – Three events, three gold medals.
That’s what outstanding veteran national para swimmer Ernie Gawilan expects in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games swimming championships opening at the impressive Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Sports Arena here on Monday.
“Kailangan kong madepensahan ‘yung tatlong main event na naipanalo ko sa Jakarta Asian Games — sa 400-meter freestyle, 200-meter individual medley at 100-meter backstroke. Dun kami nag-concentrate,” said Gawilan on the eve of the competition.
Aside from the three gold medals, the 32-year-old Davao City pride also won a pair of silver medals in the men’s 50m and 100-meter freestyle event in his third straight outing in the 2018 edition of the sportsfest in Jakarta, Indonesia.
National para swimming coach Tony Ong decided to limit his prized ward’s events this time to boost his medal prospects, beginning with the men’s S7 200-meter individual medley scheduled at 7:20 p.m. at the modern 6,000-seat facility at the HOC Sports Complex.
Gawilan said his possible rival in the event is Chinese swimmer Yang Guanglong, who bagged a bronze medal in the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021 in the S8 men’s 200-meter IM.
“Nahalo tayo dun sa mataas na class sa 200 IM. Kasi kung mas mataas na class mas malakas ang kalaban,” said Gawilan, who vowed to give his all in defending the title in the event.
A double gold medalist in the Cambodia Asean Para Games last June, Gawilan said he is in competitive shape now that things have virtually returned to normal back home, despite some lingering effects of pandemic.
“Napaghandaan natin ng mas matagal ang Asian Para Games kasi halos normal na po at hindi na gaano ‘yung COVID sa atin,” said the swimmer, who had two international tune-up meets before coming over here.
Appearing in his fourth Asian Para Games in a row, Gawilan said his passion in competing to win for flag and country has not waned.
“Nandun pa rin po ‘yung nais na makapagbigay karangalan at manalo sa ating bansa kaya nandito pa rin po tayo. Habang malakas pa, pipilitin nating maglaro at manalo para sa ating bansa,” he said.
