Ernie Gawilan gets another shot at Paralympics medal

Ernie Gawilan hopes to make the most out of his last chance at Paralympic glory in his farewell event in the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

The decorated para swimmer missed the medal race of the men’s 200-meter individual medley and intends to atone for that lost opportunity by giving his all in the 400-meter freestyle S7 race on Monday, September 2 (Philippine time), at the Paris La Defense Arena.

There is a big chance Gawilan might perform better in this event as the 400m freestyle is his pet event, having claimed the gold medal twice in the Asian Para Games in 2028 in Jakarta and 2022 in Hangzhou, China.

Gawilan is bunched with Argentina’s Inaki Basiloff, Ukraine’s Andrii Trusov and Yurii Shenhur, and Cuba’s Yosjaniel Hernandez Velez, in the 400m event.

Should Gawilan get through the heats, the medal race for the 400m freestyle is set early Tuesday morning, September 3.