Filipino swimmer officially punches ticket to 2021 Paralympics

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino prized swimmer Ernie Gawilan formalized his entry for the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics after impressing in the World Para Swimming World Series in Berlin.

Gawilan bested the other prized Paralympic swimmers from all over the world and managed to clinch the bronze medal in the men’s 400m freestyle.

Initially, the International Paralympic Committee already gave Gawilan an outright slot for the 2021 Paralympics.

The move came after Gawilan’s record-setting performance during the last Asian Para Games where he finished the 400m freestyle in 4:51.

However, the IPC said that Gawilan should still participate in the remaining Paralympic Qualifying Tournaments to formalize his entry.

Also, Team Para Philippines chef de mission Francis Diaz added that Gawilan must fly to Berlin and join the tournament to secure his ticket to Tokyo.

Gawilan will seek to improve his outing during the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and hope to clinch the gold medal this time.