![Asian Paralympic Committee president H.E. Majid Rashed (seated) and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo (left, wearing sunglasses) congratulate Ernie Gawilan following his gold-medal triumph in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Joining them are coaches Tony Ong and Bryan Ong. [PPC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1080-400x200.png)
Ernie Gawilan captures the Philippines’ first gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games, winning the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 for the third straight edition.
![Ernie Gawilan won the Philippines' first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games with victory in the men's 400-meter freestyle S7 in Nagoya, Japan. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1071-400x200.png)
Ernie Gawilan won the Philippines’ first gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya and reportedly secured qualification for the 2028 Paralympics.
![Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino lead the Philippines’ gold rush at the ASEAN Para Games [photo credit: APG2025 Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/5e386f1f-6e69-46f3-9481-575cd151f7b0-400x200.jpg)
Filipino para swimmers dominated the pool in Nakhon Ratchasima, with Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino breaking records and winning multiple gold medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.
![The men’s final was a hard-fought match with the Pilipinas Warriors taking silver against Thailand [photo credit: Francis Diaz Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/616046513_10237859065003273_2560078955656335115_n-400x200.jpg)
Philippine para swimmers Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan opened the medal haul at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with gold medals in the men’s 400m freestyle events. Other Filipino athletes also secured silver and bronze medals in para basketball, powerlifting, cycling, and bowling.
![PH medalists in para swimming, from left, Bladimir Sebastian Gonzales, Ric Daniel Pasadilla, Raemond Adefuin, Mary Hannah Diesto, and (front) Zach Lucas Obsioma. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/c8b20a6d-85d5-4936-afc4-fc8c3490793f-400x200.jpeg)
Team Philippines continued its medal rush at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai as young para swimmers and para athletes delivered golds across multiple venues.
The Philippines sends its largest-ever delegation to the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, hoping to surpass its previous medal haul in Dubai.