TALK about making the most of a second chance.
Rower Joanie Delgaco wound up first yesterday in the repechage of the women’s single sculls event of the Paris Olympics at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The first Filipina rower in the Games and the pride of Iriga City, Camarines Norte, Delgaco showed the way in the wildcard round with a time of 7:55.00 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2,000m race.
Delgaco, 26, redeemed herself after nearly clinching a Last Eight berth two days ago in Heat 2 when she clocked 7:56.26 for fourth.
Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick Gregorio is understandably elated on Delgaco’s maiden stint in the world’s grandest sporting extravaganza so far.
“First-time Olympian Joanie Delgaco just made history again, qualifying to the quarterfinals means she is among the top 24 in the world,” Gregorio said. “Joanie will try her best to reach the semifinals.
“We have to believe Filipinos can excel in Rowing. Let me take this rare opportunity to solicit more support from kindhearted corporate sponsors,” he added.
Delgaco zoomed to a fast start, reaching the 500 meters first with 1:52:04 and cruised past the halfway point nearly two minutes later. She never looked back from there.
Vietnam’s Pham Thi Hue finished second (8:00.97) and will also advance to the quarterfinals.
Only the top two in each repechage heat will move on to the next round, joining the outright qualifiers from the heats last Saturday.
Coming in after Delgaco and the Vietnamese were Cuba’s Yariulvis Cobas Garcia (8:10.64), Nicaragua’s Evidelia Gonzalez Jarquin (8:26.23), and Togo’s Akoko Komlanvi (8:43.11).
Delgaco is set to plunge into the quarterfinals tomorrow, her sights clearly set on a semifinals slot and a chance to further stamp her mark notwithstanding her more ballyhood Pinoy bets own bids.
