Ernie Gawilan bows out early in Paralympics 200m individual medley

Decorated para swimmer Ernie Gawilan crashed out in his first event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics after finishing last in the SM7 men's 200m individual medley heats on Saturday at the Paris La Defense Arena. 

The 33-year-old veteran tanker clocked two minutes and 56.39 seconds to wind up last in both Heat 2 and overall rankings of the 11-man field. He will not be advancing to the finals as only the top eight para swimmers will earn a ticket to the medal round. 

World record holder Andrii Trusov of Ukraine topped the heats with 2:35.80 while Christian Sadie of South Africa and Inaki Basiloff of Argentina came in second and third. 

Gawilan, though, is not yet done with his Paralympics campaign as he will still see action on Monday in the men's 400m freestyle S7, which is considered his pet event after having ruled the same event during the 4th Asian Para Games last year. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News