Ernie enjoying a wave of success

Ernie Gawilan, a veteran para swimmer and the Philippines' first-ever gold medalist at the Asian Para Games, made his nation proud again at the fourth edition of the para sports gala in Hangzhou.

After claiming bronze in the men's 200m individual medley SM7 event on Monday, the 32-year-old clinched his nation's first gold medal of these Games at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Sports Arena on Tuesday.

Gawilan out-swam Singapore's Toh Wei Soong and China's Huang Xianquan, finishing the men's 400m freestyle S7 race with a time of 4:58.29. Gawilan also holds the Asian Para Games record in the event, which he set at the 2018 Para Games in Jakarta.

"I am extremely happy, because I'm the first to get a gold medal for my country, and also because I defended my Asian title," said Gawilan.

Gawilan was born in 1991 without the lower part of both his legs and an underdeveloped left arm. Despite a slew of family misfortunes and hardships in his childhood, Gawilan was able to see an upside to life when he began swimming in Samal, Philippines, in 2000.

"Before, I used to hide myself away. I used to be ashamed of myself and wonder why I was born like this. Because of swimming, I feel like I have escaped from a shell. I broke it, and I broke myself out," Gawilan recalled.

"When I am in the water, the water washes away my disadvantage ... I feel a sense of passion. My shame disappears. It's as if the water makes me feel like I'm complete," Gawilan added.

Gawilan's journey from the Philippine Olympic Festival in 2008 to international competitions has earned him a collection of medals, making him a celebrated figure in the Paralympic world.

Notably, he became the first Filipino athlete from any sport to win gold at the Asian Para Games, when he triumphed in the 200m IM SM7 event at the 2018 Jakarta Games, where he impressed with three gold and two silver medals.

Moreover, Gawilan has also made his presence felt at two Paralympic Games, at Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.

His journey to the 2016 Paralympic Games was immortalized in a five-minute film, titled Gawilan, which was released in 2017. Directed and produced by US-based Filipino filmmaker Kelsy Lua, the film was a runner-up in the Best Film category at the 2019 Istorya Ng Pag-Asa film festival in the Philippines.

He has undoubtedly emerged as an inspiration to others in the Philippines facing similar challenges.

Gawilan is continuing to thrive, and is particularly enjoying one aspect of his time in Hangzhou. "The food is very good, and I get to eat a lot of it," he said joyfully.

"I would like to thank the people here. They are really great and very hospitable. Even when they are tired, they still get up and greet you," he added.

"The (accessible) facilities are really top-notch and it's really friendly for people with disabilities. I'm really enjoying everything."

While he is hoping to add another gold to his collection when he swims in the men's 100m backstroke on Thursday, Gawilan is also looking further into the future.

"My target is to be able to swim at the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024," said Gawilan.