Filipino rower Cris Nievarez (File photo)
MANILA — Filipino rower Cris Nievarez took a fifth place finish in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics men's single sculls event on Sunday at the Sea Forest Waterway in the Japanese capital.
Despite staying away from the bottom, Nievarez missed out on making the semifinals as he finished way behind the Top 3.
Nievarez clocked in at seven minutes and 50.74 seconds in Heat 4, some 34 seconds behind Mindaugas Griskonis of Lithuania, who got the last semifinal spot for Heat 4.
Oliver Zeidler of Germany won the heat at the time of 7:12.75, while Brazil's Lucas Verthein placed second at 7:14.26.
Zeidler gradually zoomed ahead of the pack as the race went on en route to smooth sailing.
Griskonis, however, had a chance at moving higher in the rankings after overtaking Verthein for second with 500 meters left in the two-kilometer course before the latter got his bearing back to secure the second spot.
New Zealand's Jordan Parry was actually toe-to-toe with Griskonis and even Verthein for the last semifinal spot, but Parry slowed down halfway through the race and eventually fell short despite the strong finish.
Nievarez, Parry, and Iraq's Mohammed Al-Khafaji will still play in a repechage round on Tuesday as they look to end their Olympic stints on a higher note.
But Nievarez, only 21 and in his first Olympics, benefited so much from the Olympics.
“This will be a major learning experience for Cris,” said Magnum Membrere, a former college basketball star who turned to rowing and is now treasurer of the Philippines Rowing Association (PRA).
“He’s young and he’s determined,” added Membrere of Nievarez, the only Southeast Asian in the men’s single sculls event.
“Malaking bagay ang experience na nakuha ko dito sa Tokyo Olympics, sabi nga ni Sir Magnum, learning experience (The experience I got here in Tokyo Olympics is a big factor, as Sir Magnum said, learning experience),” Nievarez said.
Nievarez vowed to train and work harder as he set eyes on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Malaking dahilan ito para pagbubutihin ko pa at aasamin na makarating ako sa Paris. Nakita ko na rin ang mga strength ng mga kalaban at alam ko na kung anong aspects ang kailangan i-improve. (This is a big reason for me to improve and set my goal to reach Paris. I have also seen the strengths of the opponents and I already know what aspects need to be improved).”
“His performance is beyond expectations. Commendable,” PRA president Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said. “Focused training here and abroad, Cris will really improve.”
Nievarez was the first Filipino on the block in the unique Olympics and didn’t disappoint on Friday. He earned a quarterfinal round seat that set off the Philippine campaign to a comfortable start. (PNA)
