PARIS — Ernie Gawilan, a seasoned para swimmer, excelled in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 heats at the 17th Paralympic Games, securing his position in the finals with a strong performance on Monday at the La Defense Arena.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gawilan led the second heat from start to finish, clocking in at five minutes and .13 seconds, which placed him third overall among the eight qualifiers. American swimmer Austin Evan took the top spot with a time of 4:56.48, closely followed by Neutral Paralympic Athlete Alekseei Ganiuk at 4:56.68. Gawilan, aiming to better his sixth-place finish from the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, mentioned he had held back slightly during the heats to ensure a favorable lane in the finals. “I didn’t give everything, only about 90 percent so that I could get a good lane in the finals,” he explained.
Gawilan, a 33-year-old native of Davao City, Philippines, born with underdeveloped extremities and no legs, expressed his readiness and optimism for the upcoming final. “I am in good condition now. I need to prepare for the finals later,” he added, reflecting on his improved condition since his last Olympic appearance. His strategy included a fast start, a measured pace in the middle, and a strong finish, which he plans to enhance in the finals, acknowledging the need to not be overconfident as other competitors were also pacing themselves.