Still waters ahead for Joanie

MANILA, Philippines — The forecast is still and smooth waters for Camarines Sur rower Joanie Delgaco to make waves in women’s single sculls all the way to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. That’s what Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio has in mind for Delgaco after she finished Top 20 in the world, No. 1 in Southeast Asia and No. 2 in Asia at the Paris Olympics.

“Long way to go for Joanie,” said Gregorio. “She’s the first Filipina rowing Olympian. Joanie’s only 26 while New Zealand’s Emma Twigg is 37, a five-time Olympian, gold medalist in Tokyo and silver medalist in Paris. She will prepare for the SEA Games in Thailand, Asian Games in Nagoya then the LA Olympics.”

Delgaco, who is with the Philippine Navy, had five rows in Paris. In the heats, she clocked 7:57.26 for fourth and dropped to repechage where her time was 7:55 for first place to move to the quarterfinals. Delgaco was sixth in her quarterfinal heat with a clocking of 7:58.3 and fell to the consolation semifinals where she timed 8:00.18 for fifth. In the finals to determine placers from No. 19 to 24, Delgaco finished a strong second at 7:43.83 to clinch the 20th slot. Gregorio said he dangled a “croissant bonus” of P50,000 if she could place top 20 and she did it.

Gregorio said World Rowing Development/Sustainability head Daniela Gomes has pledged scholarship support for Delgaco. “They like Joanie’s progression,” said Gregorio. “They will support her. Before Paris, Joanie was ranked fourth in Asia and second in Southeast Asia.”

Gregorio said it’s not certain if the country’s Uzbek rowing coach Shukrat Ganiev will stay up to the LA Olympics. Ganiev, 63, joined the Philippine team at the 2020 Tokyo Games but tested positive for COVID and was confined in isolation. “I hope to talk to Shukrat if he’s still willing to stay because he told us a few months ago after Paris, he wants to retire, rest and join his family,” said Gregorio. “I will also look for a younger foreign coach for succession. Rowing is a beautiful sport and Filipinos can excel in rowing. Joanie’s message to the youth is try rowing.”

Gregorio said Delgaco is determined to go to LA. “I told her I want to see you in LA,” he said, referring to the next Olympics where the rowing course will be shortened from 2,000m to 1,500m due to limitations of the Long Beach Marine Stadium. “She replied, babalik tayo sa Olympics sa 2028. An Olympic medal is a treasure. It takes a lot of time, money and sacrifice to win it, maraming taon ang binibilang. An athlete needs two to three Olympic cycles to win like Hidilyn and Carlos. Others don’t get a second chance. Hindi titigil and pagsagwan ni Joanie para sa bayan.”