PH paddlers grind it out to make olympic qualifying standard

Rowers Joanie Delgaco and Melka Jean Caballero, gold women’s lightweight double sculls. Photo by June Navarro/INQUIRER

Rowers Melcah Jen Caballero and Joanie Delgaco are racing to overcome a slim gap that separates them from sure trips to the Tokyo Olympics.

But if you ask Caballero, a double-gold winner in last year’s Southeast Asian Games, they should go for a far better clocking than just beating the difference of nearly three seconds that set them apart from a podium finish in last year’s Asian Rowing Championships.

“We are aiming for faster times before we race in the Olympic qualifying,’’ said Caballero, who ruled the women’s lightweight double sculls with Delgaco in the SEA Games almost two months ago. “It will take a lot of sacrifice for us to get it done.’’

The Fisa (World Rowing Federation) Asia and Oceania Olympic Qualifying on April 21 in South Korea will dangle three Olympic spots in the event where Caballero and Delgaco are entered.

The Filipino duo placed fourth in the Asian championships last year behind gold medalist China, South Korea and third-placer Iran, which defeated Caballero and Delgaco by only 2.56 seconds.

Guiding Caballero, Delgaco and the rest of national rowing squad along with SEA Games single sculls gold medalist Cris Nievarez, is Uzbek coach Shukhrat Ganiev. INQ