Para-swimmer Gary Bejino opened Team Philippines’ campaign for the first Paralympics gold in Tokyo, Japan.
Bejino is one of the five Filipino para-athletes who are representing the Filipino nation at the Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old two-time gold medalist in the ASEAN Para Games (2015, 2017) competed in his first event today, August 26, 2021.
Bejino finished 6th in his heat and 17th overall in the Men’s 200-meter individual medley and was unable to secure a finals berth for the top 8 swimmers.
The Filipino para-swimming champion will continue his journey at the Paralympics and returns to the pool on August 30 for the Men’s 50m butterfly S6, the Men’s 400m freestyle S6 on September 2, and the Men’s 100m backstroke S6 on September 3.
Gary Bejino lost his arm and his leg at an early age due to electrical shock. He started his swimming career in 2000 and won his first gold medal in the Men’s 400m Freestyle during the 8th ASEAN Para Games in 2015 held in Singapore. He won another gold medal in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games.
Bejino won a silver and two bronze medals in the 2018 Asian Para Games and earned his spot in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics where he qualified to compete in four events.
CHECK OUT Team Philippines’ Schedule at the Tokyo Paralympics here.
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