Delgaco’s next race could mean more than just spot in semifinals

Philippines’ Joanie Delgaco competes in the women’s single sculls repechages rowing competition at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Centre in Vaires-sur-Marne during the Paris Olympics 2024 Games on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)

Joanie Delgaco may be a very long shot to land a medal in rowing competition of the Paris Olympics, but how she performs in the quarterfinals of the women’s sculls on Tuesday could very well determine how far her career will go.

World Rowing coaching director Gianni Postiglione will be closely watching the Filipino ace, who could be offered an Olympic solidarity movement scholarship after Delgaco impressed a lot of international coaches in topping the repechage at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium to make the final 24.

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024

“It really feels good that I’ve reached the quarterfinal. Here, I know that I have to push myself beyond the limit,’’ said Delgaco on Sunday, moments after clinching a slot in the next phase.

Facing much taller odds compared to her first two races, Delgaco should finish in the top three to progress to the semifinals and move closer to medal contention.

One of four Asians

The 2019 SEA Games champion from Iriga, Camarines Sur, is one of only four Asians to reach the top 24 of the women’s single sculls in the Paris Olympiad.

Now, the opportunity to shoot higher in the rankings is on Delgaco’s hands with a semifinal qualification equivalent to at least a top 12 placing in the world.

Yet, based on times of 7:56.26 in the heats and 7:55.00 in the repechage, the challenge will be much greater for Delgaco to even keep pace with the world powers.

Joining her on the starting line are 2021 Tokyo gold medalist Emma Twigg of New Zealand, former under-23 world champion Katharina Jansen of Switzerland, Virginia Diaz of Spain, Diana Dymchenko of Azerbaijan and Serbia’s Jovana Arsic.

Iranian Fatemeh Mojallaltopraghghale, Vietnamese Thi Hue Pham and Uzbek Anna Prakaten are the other Asians in the quarters.

Also a former world champion, Twigg pulled off an impressive clocking of 7:13.97 back in the Tokyo Games.

After Delgaco’s last race in these Games, she will row for another 2,000 meters on an ergometer with the clocking to be posted on the World Rowing website to measure and monitor her improvement.

Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio has prepared a letter to the Philippine Olympic Committee to endorse Delgaco to the International Olympic Committee as an Olympic solidarity scholar. INQ