Kristine Paraon displayed impressive form to claim a bronze medal in the 2023 Asian Rowing Junior and U23 Championships recently in Pattaya, Thailand.

Paraon, a 21-year-old rower from Zamboanga, emerged third in the final of the women's U23 singles sculls (BW1X) event after clocking nine minutes and 15.83 seconds in the 2,000-meter race.

Mojallatopraghghale Fatemeh of Iran clinched the gold medal in 9:07.44 while Zhang Kouer of Hong Kong settled for the silver medal in 9:15.79.

Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio lauded the performance of Paraon and other junior rowers, who have been training at the Ternate Cavite Rowing Academy for the past three months.

"The fastest way to develop our grassroots program is to allow them to compete with the best rowers in Asia," Gregorio said in a statement.

"We are proud of our junior rowers and the milestones they've achieved. We know that they will return home equipped with wisdom and excitement for the next regatta."