Bemedalled swimmer Gary Bejino opened Team Philippines’ campaign in the 2020 Paralympics with a lethargic performance in the men’s 200 meter individual medley – S6 Thursday at the Tokyo Aquatics Center.

Starting in Heat 2, Bejino placed last among six swimmers with a time of three minutes and 17.19 seconds.

Andrei Granichka of Russia topped the heat with a time of two minutes and 45.95 seconds.

Nelson Crispin Corzo of Colombia topped the overall all three heats with a time of two minutes and 43.07 seconds.

Bejino was dead last in a field of seventeen swimmers in the S6 category, which includes amputees, dwarfs, and athletes with major limb impairment. Only the top eight swimmers will advance in the final race later this afternoon.

Bejino, who has an amputated right arm and left leg, won two bronze medals and a silver medal in the 2018 Asian Para Games.

He has three remaining races in the 100 meter backstroke, 50 meter butterfly, and 400 meter freestyle.

The Philippines has won two bronze medals in the Summer Paralympics, with table tennis player Josephine Medina winning in 2016 and powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta placing third way back in 2000.

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