They’re no X-Men and they don’t have superpowers.
In fact, they are less ordinary—partially and totally blind, legless in a wheelchair, arms missing, and all sorts of physical impurities—but they can do extraordinary things in sports and bring pride and glory to their family and country.
They are called Para athletes.
For nearly two weeks, Hangzhou, a modern mega city in Southeast China, played host to more than 3,000 Para-athletes for the 4th Asian Para Games and embraced a more accessible concept of living where People with Disabilities (PWD) could display their skills and enjoy the games.
The Philippine Paralympic Committee, with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, has sent 72 athletes to Hangzhou, including Ernie Gawilan, a Filipino para swimmer, who was born without the lower part of both his legs and with an under-developed left arm.
With nothing much to do in a place surrounded by water, Gawilan tried swimming on Samal Island in Davao in 2000.
“I used to be ashamed of myself and wondering why I was born like this. But I used this as a motivation and I was able to break out of my shell,” said the 32-year-old who has won multiple medals in international competition in the Para SEA Games and the latest—a gold medal in the men’s 400meter freestyle SM7 at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena on Tuesday night here.
Gawilan’s continuing feats on the pool have brought him to places and provided him mild fortunes—thanks to the Philippine Sports Commission’s cash incentives for every medal won in international competitions.
Now, Gawilan is in the process of building a modest concrete house in Samal. Now, some people—both able and PWDs are approaching him and expressing how he has become their inspiration in life.
“Marami. Natutuwa ako kasi nakakapagbigay kami bilang halimbawa sa kanilang aspirations sa buhay,” said Gawilan, who has now set his sights on the Paris Olympics in France next year.
INSPIRATION
PPC president Mike Barredo said Gawilan’s first gold in the Hangzhou Para Asiad started the ball rolling and inspired other athletes to win medals for the country.
“That’s the beauty and importance of the first gold. Gawilan’s triumph boosted everyone to follow his lead.”
The day after Gawilan’s feat, chessers Menandro Redor and lawyer Cheyzer Mendoza, and the rest of the team rose to the occasion by delivering three golds, two silvers, and two bronze medals.
Then on Friday night, it was Jerrold Pete Mangliwan’s time to shine in wheelchair racing where he came from behind, beating Japanese pacesetter Ueyonabaru Hirota in a neck-to-neck battle for the gold in the men’s 400-meter.
Mangliwan’s feat gave the Philippines its fourth gold medal before the para chessers added more gilts on Saturday’s golden blitz.
The pride of Kalinga said his success was a result of his unbridled dedication and hard work.
“Very privileged and blessed lang. Hanggang ngayon nag bo blossom pa rin ako as an athlete. Iyung ng dedication ko kasi palagi yan and regardless kung anuman tayo, darating ang panahon na makukuha din,” said the 44-year-old who redeemed himself from disappointment in 2021 Tokyo Paralympics where he was disqualified for lane infringement.
BETTER LIFE
More than winning, the experience of just competing and testing their skills against their counterparts matter most for some participants.
“We came, we learned, we achieved. The experience and learning are priceless,” said Philippine para-archery coach Jonathan Josol.
“It was indeed a tough crowd compared to our experience in the SEA games last year. The team did their best, this event is our springboard for the Asian Para-Championships which is a paralympic qualifier for Paris 2024.”
The Filipino archers failed to win medals, but they showed there were brilliant moments like Arthur Azcuna (ranked26th) pulling an upset over no. 13. Daisuke Watanabe of Japan, 139-138, in the round of 16 of the Compound Men event.
The men’s pair Marzel Burgos and Arthur Azcuna won over Southeast Asian rival from Thailand,152-144, in the eliminations of the Team Compound.
For the organizers of the Hangzhou Para Games, the hosting experience has played a role in “improving the well-being of the people with impairments.”
“We will further shape a warm society that cares for the impaired and supports them in equally participating in public life. Led by the creation of accessible environments in Para sports, we will further improve other environments, including accessible means of information exchange, and foster international exchanges and cooperation on affairs related to the impaired,” said Wang Hongwei, deputy director of the Department of Publicity and Culture, China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
Yong Zhijun, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Sports Delegation of Hangzhou Asian Para Games said, “The legal and policy protection of sports for persons with impairments has been strengthened, and remarkable achievements have been made in rehabilitation, fitness and competitive sports for persons with impairments.”