FILE – Filipino rower Cris Nievarez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez seized a silver medal in his first race of the year at the just-concluded 2022 Asian Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships.
The 5-foot-11 Nievarez clocked six minutes and 25.9 seconds in the men’s under-23 2000m to reach the podium behind gold winner Wong Ho Yin of Hong Kong (6:19.6). Hong Kong’s Wong Wai Chun placed third in 6:28.3.
Team Philippines actually captured six silver and two bronze medals in the event hosted by the Hong Kong China Rowing Association where 12 men and seven women Filipino rowers participated.
“We are happy and proud with the performance of the team, especially our young rowers who showed a glimpse of their potential to win medals in international races,” said Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio.
Kristin Paraon grabbed two silvers in the women’s under-23 2000m (7:47.8) and under-23 500m (1:46.1) while Joachim De Jesus placed second in the men’s under-23 500m in 1:28.5 and Zuriel Sumintac wound up with another silver in the men’s 500m in 1:26.6.
Alyssa Go was able to land second in the women’s lightweight 500m in 1:45.2 while CJ Jasmin (men’s U23 2000m) and Kharl Julianne Sha (women’s lightweight under-23) both secured bronze medals after submitting times of 6:38.8 and 1:45.8 in their events.
De Jesus, Go and Emmanuel Joseph Obana, who was likewise entered in the men’s under-23 2000m, are rowers from Ateneo de Manila University as the PRA started out its plan of bringing the Olympic sport to the collegiate ranks.
The national rowing squad and the Ateneo rowing team are among the 788 entries from 17 Asian countries in this year’s race done within the confines of their respective training facilities.