PARIS – Filipino para swimmer Ernie Gawilan made an impressive showing in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 event at the 17th Paralympic Games held at the La Defense Arena on Monday, September 2. Leading from the start, Gawilan topped the second heat with a time of 5:00.13, earning a spot in the finals.

Top Performance Despite Challenging Conditions

Gawilan’s performance came amid challenging weather conditions back home in the Philippines, as tropical storm Enteng swept through Luzon. Despite these conditions, Gawilan managed to secure his place in the finals, finishing third overall among the eight qualifiers. American swimmer Austin Evan led the heats with a time of 4:56.48, while Neutral Paralympic Athlete Aleksei Ganiuk followed with a time of 4:56.68.

Strategic Heat Tactics

In his post-race comments, Gawilan revealed he held back slightly, using only 90% of his effort to secure a favorable lane for the finals. This strategic approach allowed him to conserve energy for the final race, where he hopes to improve on his sixth-place finish from the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics.

“I didn’t give my all; I saved some energy to secure a good lane for the finals,” said Gawilan. “I’m in better condition now and need to prepare well for the finals.”

A Strong Comeback

Gawilan’s strong performance in the heats was a significant comeback after his earlier exit from the men’s 200-meter individual medley SM7 event. Known for his resilience, Gawilan completed the first 50 meters of the heat in 35.47 seconds and maintained a strong pace throughout.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

Despite his impressive heat performance, Gawilan remains cautious, acknowledging the competitive field. “Winning the heat and qualifying third is good, but I must stay focused and not be overconfident. I’ll give my all in the finals,” he stated.