No stopping Ernie
PARIS—Ernie Gawilan knew right from the start how much of a disadvantage he was in, even for an event that was created to give opportunities to the disadvantaged.
“They are really taller than me. I just didn’t let that distract me,” said Gawilan, who finished in sixth place to match his performance in the same event at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.
Italy’s Federico Bicelli struck the gold in 4:38.70, leaving the 6-foot-3 Andrii Trusov of Ukraine behind in the last 150 meters for the surprise victory.
Argentina’s Inaki Basiloff, the gold performer in the 200m individual medley SM7 where Gawilan also competed, settled for the bronze in 4:40.27.
“Given another opportunity, I would like to represent our country again in the next Paralympics,” he said after managing at least to keep his world ranking intact.
The two-time Paralympian has proven his worth in nearly all levels of competition internationally—in the ASEAN Para Games and the Asian Para Games.
Gawilan won four gold medals in just two editions of the 45-country Asian Para Games and netted nine victories in the 11-nation ASEAN Para Games.
But he has yet to achieve podium success at the grandest stage of his sport.
And he won’t stop trying.
“I just have to keep on pushing myself. It’s going to be another four years (to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics) and I want to be there,” said Gawilan.