Cordova rallies to snare single scull diadem

NAY PYI TAW – In a dramatic display of power and will power, Nestor Cordova blazed past three rowers in the last 1,000 meters and rowed to victory by a near photo-finish in the singles scull event of rowing in the 27th Southeast Asian Games here yesterday.

Cordova, the 2007 winner in Thailand and a fixture in rowing during the last 20 years, clocked seven minutes, 49.38 seconds at the Ngalite Dam 20 minutes from the city proper for the day’s only gold, a source of pride for Bacolod, one of those hardest-hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Aung Ko Min of Myanmar was second in 7:49.68 while Memo Memo of Indonesia, losing steam in the last 500 meters, dropped to third with a time of 8 :03.61.

Instead of putting on a burst of speed in the kickoff stage, Cordova uncharacteristically stayed closed enough behind pacesetter Memo Memo of Indonesia, who led him by 1.89 seconds, with Aung Ko Min of Myanmar a distant third, 4.8 seconds off the pace.

The Myanmar boatsman gathered speed in the next 500 meters, overtaking Cordova and getting into second behind Indonesia. In the hectic pace, Cordova was eventually relegated to fourth behind the Thai rower.

With one burst of power, Cordova rowed mightily again to overtake the first three rowers and kept the blistering pace to the finish line to win the gold by only a half-boat length.

“I don’t know where I got my strength. I just wanted to win and did everything I could to win despite losing steam in the last part of the course,” said Cordova, from Murcia, Bacolod.

Benjamin Tolentino and Edgar Ilas later teamed up in the lightweight doubles to win the silver by merely a half-boat length, or 1.4 seconds.

Cordova, with Tolentino Jr., Ilas and Alvin Amposta, undertook rigorous training in Hong Kong before competing in the Asia Cup prior to the SEA Games.

“That training was a big help. This competition is all about mind over matter and the will to win is what made me win,” said Cordova.

Rowing team manager Quintin Pastranas said he knows his wards could win a medal, but not the gold.

“It came as a surprise. But we can’t be satisfied with this achievement, we still have to work hard to surpass our previous finish,” he added.

The rowing team gets back at the Ngalite dam with Roque Abala and Alvin Amposta competing in the men’s double sculls competition.