Carl Hilario sweeps three golds in para swimming events

Carl Hilario emerged as the most decorated para swimmer after winning all three of his events on the second day of the Para Swimming competition in the 8th Philippine National Para Games on Tuesday, November 12, at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The 18-year-old PNPG rookie from Aklan gained his first gold medal in the men’s 100 meter freestyle S14 on Monday, November 11, finishing with 1:04.55.

He went on to win two gold medals the following day in the men’s 200-meter freestyle S14 with a record of 2:31.80 and the men’s 100-meter butterfly S14 with 1:21.31.

Hilario, a student-athlete hailing from Kalibo Integrated Special Education Center in Kalibo, Aklan, competes in para-swimming or for athletes with intellectual disabilities. He fits into S14.

"We just tried to participate, we were lucky to win three golds," said coach Allan Gomez, expressing his joy following Hilario’s triple gold medal feat.