Photo from PSC
MANILA, Philippines—Rower Kristine Paraon spearheaded the country’s campaign at the 2023 World Rowing Indoor Championships with a pair of medals during the virtual meet.
The pride of Zamboanga City clocked fastest in the women’s 2000 meters in seven minutes and 30.3 seconds to clinch the gold medal before placing second in the women’s 500m with a time of one minute and 40.2 seconds.
Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez likewise made sure he would be basking in the limelight, seizing a bronze medal in the men’s 2000m (6:21.4) against a large number of high-ranked competitors around the world.
Kristine Paraon
🥇-19-20 Women's 2000m
🥈-19-20 Women's 500mCris Nievarez
🥉-21-22 Men's 2000mAthens Tolentino
🥉-21-22 Lightweight Men's 500mMabuhay ang #GalingngAtletangPilipino!#SerbisyongPSC
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) February 28, 2023
Joining Paraon and Nievarez was Athens Tolentino, who secured a bronze in the lightweight men’s 500m at the world indoor champs where a total of 12 Filipino rowers qualified based on their recent Asian rankings.
Rynjie Penaredondo nearly got into the medal standings after winding up fourth in the lightweight men’s 500m (1:29.2) while Van Maxilom ended up fifth in the same event with a 1:29.5 clocking.
Also falling short of grabbing a medal were Feiza Lenton and Kharl Julianne Sha in the lightweight women’s 500m, lightweight men’s 500m entries Edgar Ilas and Zuriel Sumintac, Amelyn Pagulayan (women’s 500m), CJ Jasmin (lightweight men’s 2000m) and Roque Abala Jr. (men’s 2000m).