PH nabs golds in ASEAN Para Games swimming, cycling

MANILA, Philippines－The Philippines added more golds to its 2017 ASEAN Para Games medal haul after the nation’s para athletes dominated in the swimming and cycling events on Wednesday, September 20 in Malaysia.

The country’s para swimming team bagged two gold medals Wednesday morning courtesy of Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan.

Bejino, 21, claimed gold in the men’s 400 m freestyle S7 event after clocking in a time of 5:33.81, beating Thailand’s Kaweewat Sittichaiphonniti who finished at 6:02.26.

The 26-year-old Gawilan also defended his title in the 400 m freestyle S8 event after registering 4:57.49 on the board. He finished way ahead of the field as silver medalist Dang Van Cong of Vietnam logged in 5:56.09, while bronze finisher Phiphatphong Sianglam of Thailand went 5:59.94.

Gawilan had previously donned the national colors back in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Brazil.

The Davao native, along with Bejino, Arnel Aba, and Roland Sabido, also snatched two bronzes in the men’s 4×100 m freestyle and medley relays in the ongoing games.

Meanwhile, Arthus Bucay, who delivered PH’s first medal on Sunday, September 17, also won gold in the men’s road individual time trial C5 event after listing a time of 17:44.18. Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi of Malaysia got silver after finishing at 19:11.95, while Sufyan Saori settled for bronze at 19:38.15.－Rappler.com