Cordova nails rowing's first golden feat

JAKARTA – The Philippines finally claimed a first gold in seven days of SEAG action in Cipule Lake in Purwakarta, West Java with rower Nestor Cordova beating all comers in the men’s singles sculls yesterday.

Cordova, a 34-year-old Murcia, Negros Occidental native, emerged as the new champion of the rowing centerpiece event, succeeding three-time ruler and compatriot Benjie Tolentino.

“All our hard work in training paid off. I’m so grateful to our coach,” said Cordova, referring to Lithuanian mentor Rolandas Kazlauskas, who gave him the break to compete in this event.

“Despite the short training, this victory is huge for us and proved that I was not wrong in picking Nestor,” said Kazlauskas, who took over the team’s training last April and selected Cordova to compete in the men’s singles sculls three months ago.

Tolentino was happy for Cordova’s feat and he’s hopeful his partnership with Jose Rodriguez also delivers in the men’s double sculls today. They won this event in Thailand in 2007.

Cordova, a navy man, poured it on halfway through the 2,000m race and ruled the event in 7:18.810, almost three seconds ahead of Thai second placer Chaichana Thakum.

Aung Ko Min of Myanmar took the bronze in 7:25.3.

The Philippine rowing team also netted a bronze in the day courtesy of the pair of Alvin Amposta and rookie Edgar Ilas in men’s light doubles.

The Filipino duo had a shot at the silver but settled for the bronze in the end on a wrong stroke when they were gaining on the leaders some 450 meters to the finish.

Thailand’s Leam Kangkok and Ruthanapol Thepp topped the event in 6:45.3 followed by Indonesia’s Irham and Jamaludin at 6:48.2.

Cordova and Amposta partnered to win a bronze in this event in the 2002 Busan Asian Game. Their partnership later struck a silver in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima SEAG.