Filipino para swimmer Ernie Gawilan dedicated his third Asian Para Games gold medal to his baby daughter, Ilyana, after ruling the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan.
Gawilan clocked 4:56.72 to deliver the Philippines’ first gold medal of the Games, matching his gold-medal achievement at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
The veteran swimmer said the victory carried special meaning as he had imagined giving his medal to his daughter even when she was only a few days old.
“Special ito eh. Kasi pinanood ko ito. Pinikit ko sa baby ko. Kahit noong ilang days pa lang, inimagine ko eh,” Gawilan said in the interview, recalling how he had pictured the moment before the competition.
He added that he was grateful that his dream had come true.
Gawilan’s daughter, Ilyana, is nearing eight months old, while the swimmer recently married his wife, Ilona J., on October 25.
The gold-medal performance, however, did not come easily. Gawilan described the race as the toughest of his Asian Para Games victories, saying he had to push himself to the limit against a strong field.
He recalled feeling exhausted in the closing stages of the race, particularly during the final 10 meters, when he realized how close the finish was.
Despite the physical demands, Gawilan remained determined to finish the race and secured the gold for the Philippines.
Looking ahead, the para swimmer said he plans to continue training to improve his performance as he sets his sights on future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
While acknowledging that age has made training more challenging, Gawilan remained confident that he could still improve his times.
He also expressed optimism about delivering a strong performance in Los Angeles, although he stopped short of guaranteeing a podium finish.
For Gawilan, the latest gold was not only another milestone in his career but also a promise fulfilled to the daughter who inspired him throughout his preparation. (Adrian Co)
