Paris Olympic rower Joanie Delgaco won’t be competing in the women’s singles sculls in the 20th Asian Games in Japan from 19 September to 4 October. 

National rowing head coach Ed Maerina told DAILY TRIBUNE over the weekend that the 27-year-old will be focused on bulking up as she and Kristine Paraon will be joining the women’s heavyweight double sculls.

“Yes, for now she needs to gain weight to compete in the heavyweight category. She’s doing heavyweight doubles in the Asian Games. By the time Olympic qualification comes, she’ll have built more muscle for her single sculls,” Maerina said.

“I believe she hasn't fully recovered yet from the Olympics during the Southeast Asian Games. That’s why in her single sculls event, she didn’t win the gold medal.”

Delgaco and Paraon clinched the gold medal in the women's double sculls last  December in the 33rd SEA Games after clocking in eight minutes and 16.976 seconds.

The Filipina pair will also compete in the Asiad in the same category.

Mawrina said keeping Delgaco in the women’s double sculls was meant to reserve her for Olympic qualifying competitions.

“I think her return to singles will be by 2028. That’s when she’ll aim to qualify again,” Maerina said.

“By the time Olympic qualification comes, she’ll have built more muscle for her single sculls.”

Delcago took a break from her national team duties last year to complete her military training.

She and Tokyo Olympics rower Cris Nievarez are expected to banner the country in this year’s Asian Games at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course in Nagoya.