Philippines’ Ernie Gawilan is no stranger to winning medals at major championships, but his gold at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Monday (19 October) was special.
It was not just the Philippines’ first gold medal at the 5th Asian Para Games, but an emotional victory that the 35-year-old dedicated to his eight-month-old daughter Ilienia.
“She is the lucky charm to me. Just a few days ago, I was imagining that this medal is what I would give to my child when I get home. And today, I cried because I was feeling so emotional in the (victory) ceremony as I thought about Ilienia. I dedicate the medal to my wife Ilona also,” said an emotional Gawilan after his victory at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Pool).
Gawilan, who now has totalled three Asian Para Games gold medals in the 400m race, successfully defended his title from Hangzhou 2022 after holding off a strong challenge from his rivals in the men’s 400m freestyle S7 final.
The Filipino swimmer clocked 4:56.72 to finish ahead of China’s Yilong Zhang (5:01.36), while Toh Wei Soong (5:24.23) took bronze.
For Gawilan, dipping under the five-minute mark at 35 was another reason to celebrate.
“I’m so happy because I can still do a sub-5 minute in the 400 because I’m already 35 years old. This is thanks to work hard in training and focus,” he said.
“I knew this would be a difficult race because all the other swimmers are strong, so I said, ‘I’m going to give it my all. After 200 metres, I will go all out.’ I know there are medics here, so I wasn’t worried if I collapsed.
“This is probably the toughest race I have ever swum.”
Gawilan’s impressive performance also drew praise from Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Majid Rashed, who personally met the Filipino swimmer after the medal presentation ceremony to congratulate him on his gold-medal triumph.
Despite his impressive performance, Gawilan hopes to lower his time in the future, although he admitted it could be challenging as he gets older.
The Filipino star will return to the pool for the men’s 100m backstroke S7, 100m freestyle S7 and 200m individual medley SM7 events as he looks to add to his medal haul in Nagoya.
