Tanker’s win expected to inspire Pinoy teammates

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HANGZHOU. – Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo believes that swimmer Ernie Gawilan’s first gold in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games last Tuesday night will start the ball rolling and inspire the other Pinoy athletes vying for honors here.

“I knew that Ernie was going to win the first gold for us and, normally, this starts the ball rolling, and the other athletes get inspired to do the same thing,” said Barredo, who was on hand when Gawilan retained the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 event at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena.

“That’s the beauty and importance of the first gold. And with a few days more to go in the Asian Para Games, I am confident we may win more as Gawilan’s triumph boosts everyone to follow his lead,” Barredo added.

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He cited chess and athletics as possible sources of more gold medals, especially after wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan copped the silver in the men’s 100-meter T52 finals last Tuesday.

Mangliwan is one of the favorites in the men’s 400-meter event on Friday.

Gawilan bids for his second gold in the men’s 100-meter backstroke on Thursday to further boost the national contingent, whose stint here is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Barredo expressed confidence the national campaigners are on track to match or eclipse the tally of 10 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals the country posted in the 2018 APG in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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