Ernie Gawilan breaks 18-year ASEAN Para Games swimming record

January 23 ------ ERNIE Gawilan broke an 18-year ASEAN Para Games record during his conquest of his second gold medal in the swimming competitions at the His Majesty 80th Birthday Aquatics Center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The three-time Paralympian ruled the men’s 200m freestyle S7 at two minutes, 26.08 seconds, breaking the old mark of 2:52.11 owned by Thailand’s Sittichai Somyut set also in Nakhon Ratchasima but back in 2008. Gary Bejino also maintained his superb form in the pool by tabbing his second gold medal of the Games when he captured the men’s 200m freestyle S6 with a time of 2:37.21, erasing the old meet record of 2:38.55 that he also registered in Phnom Penh two years ago.

Angel Otom also snagged her second gold by capturing the women’s 100m freestyle S4-S5 with a clocking of 1:41.44. Otom on Tuesday won her first in the women’s 50m backstroke S4-S5, recording a time of 47.29 seconds. The gold medals of Gawilan, Bejino, and Otom were highlights of Team Philippines’ campaign thus far, as it has now collected 15 golds, 14 silvers, and 15 bronzes to rank fourth behind Malaysia (17-20-30). Thailand continues to lead the way with 67-57-51 followed by Indonesia with 39-37-27.

Source: spin.ph