PH rowers target Paris berths in Korea qualifier

Cris Nievarez, in action in this file photo, becomes the first Filipino rower to make the Games’ quarterfinals. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Cris Nievarez banners a lean Philippine rowing team that will set up camp in China starting this week as they gun for Olympic berths in Paris later this year through the Asian and Oceania Continental Qualification Regatta set April 19 to April 21 in Chungju, South Korea.

A veteran of the Tokyo Games, Nievarez actually has two chances of getting into the world’s fashion capital but vows to try and get that slot in his first shot.

“I’m giving my best shot on this one. We’re really focused on the preparation and our training camp overseas will help us achieve it,’’ Nievarez told the Inquirer.

Aside from Nievarez, the nation’s top-notch hope in the sport, four other rowers are setting up camp in Yangzhou from Feb. 17 to March 18, a month prior to the continental qualifier where the top five in the single sculls advance to the Olympics.

Nievarez is tipped to race in the men’s single sculls while Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon have been working out to improve their times in the women’s single sculls.

Landing out of the top five in these individual races would mean attempting to get onboard the boat to the French capital one last time at the Final Qualification Regatta on May 19 to May 21 in Lucerne, Switzerland.But making it to Paris from that tournament can be considered a long shot with only the gold and silver medalists progressing to the Olympics.

Joining Nievarez, Delgaco and Paraon are Zuriel Sumintac and Rynjie Peñaredondo in the men’s double sculls while head coach Ed Maerina and foreign coach Shukhrat Ganiev from Uzbekistan will guide them throughout the monthlong China training. INQ