Ernie Gawilan’s first gold to boost Philippine drive in Hangzhou Asian Para Games — committee chief
HANGZHOU, China — Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Mike Barredo firmly 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 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 Mr. Barredo, who was on hand when Mr. Gawilan retained the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 event at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena.
“That is 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 Mr. Gawilan’s triumph boosts everyone to follow his lead,” the PPC official noted.
He cited chess and athletics as possible sources of golds, especially after wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan copped the silver in the men’s 100-meter T52 finals last Tuesday and was one of the favorites in the men’s 400-meter event on Friday.
Mr. Gawilan was looking at a second mint in the men’s 100-meter backstroke on Thursday in the trip supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Mr. Barredo was confident that the PHL para campaigners were still on track in matching or eclipsing the tally of 10 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals that the country won during the 2018 edition of the APG held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
