GARY Bejino and Ernie Gawilan registered the Philippines’ first two gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Bejino won the country’s first gold of the biennial competition in the men’s 400m freestyle S6 with a time of five minutes, 32.88 seconds, winning over Do Thanh Hai of Vietnam by nearly 26 seconds.
Gawilan added his 10th gold of his decorated career when he copped the men’s 400m freestyle S7 title with a clocking of 5:02.39.
Strong start for Team Philippines
Earlier in the day, the Philippine women’s 3x3 team took the silver medal after a 12-5 loss to host Thailand.
Nevertheless, it was history for the squad, as it was the first time that the Philippine women’s 3x3 team fought for a gold medal in the multisport competition.
The ASEAN Para Games went full swing after the opening ceremony held on Tuesday night at the His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium.
Wheelchair racer and two-time Paralympian Jerrold Mangliwan was the flag-bearer of Team Philippines in the opening ceremony.
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