The Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) enjoyed yet another fruitful year that was highlighted by the return of a Filipino rower to the Summer Olympics.
In his accomplishment report for 2024, PRA president Patrick Gregorio extended his gratitude to the athletes, coaches and other stakeholders who worked hard to make their year a smashing success.
Gregorio, the former secretary general of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said they were able to successfully hold various performance tests as well as compete in the 2024 World Rowing Indoor Championships that truly pushed Filipino rowers to their limits.
They were also able to establish the Ternate Cavite Rowing Academy, which serves as the training ground of young rowers who want to be part of the national team someday.
But the biggest achievement of the federation was the qualification of Joannie Delgaco to the Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old pride of Iriga, Camarines Sur made history when she emerged as the first Filipina to compete in the Summer Games following a masterful performance in the women’s light single sculls event of the 2024 Asian and Oceania Qualification Regatta in April in Chungju, South Korea.
Prior to Delgaco, the PRA had sent Cris Nievarez to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Other Olympians under the PRA family are coaches Ed Maerina and Benjie Tolentino, who saw action in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and Sydney Olympics in 2000.
“As we reflect on this year, our commitment to achieving our goals and aspirations remains unwavering,” Gregorio said in a statement.
“We are proud to have exceptional athletes such as SEA Games gold medalist Joanie Delgaco and Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez, who are poised to lead our nation in the sport of rowing.”
But the job is far from done.
After a successful Olympic stint, in which Delgaco emerged with a respectable 20th place finish, the PRA will set its focus on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The last time the Filipino rowers competed in the biennial meet was in Hanoi in 2021, where Delgaco and Marie Alexis Sy clinched silver medals. Prior to that, they captured three gold medals courtesy of Nievarez, Melcah Caballero and Delgaco in the 2019 edition in Manila.
“The year ahead is bursting with promise and excitement,” Gregorio said.
“Let’s make it extraordinary together.”