PH rower qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Filipino rower Cris Nievarez punched a ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics via continental qualification regattas.

The Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) proudly announced that Nievarez will be joining the other Filipino athletes who will vie for spots in Tokyo.

Nievarez will be representing the Philippines in the Men’s Single Sculls (M1x) and hopes to bring home the bacon against the best rowers in the world.

According to the rules and guidelines to qualify for the Olympics, each country can only join one category.

India, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam had their qualification tickets through the Asia Oceania Continental Qualification Regatta while Hong Kong and Indonesia earned their way due to their high rowing ranks.

Nievarez’s excellent outing in the Oceania continental stint and the Olympics Qualifying Tournament gave him the well-deserved seat to Tokyo.

With his latest achievement, he will be joining pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam as PH representatives to the Olympics.