STRONG early morning winds that swept through the Sea Forest Waterway overlooking Tokyo Bay forced the cancellation of the first day of the World Rowing Asia-Oceania Olympic qualification regatta in the Japanese capital yesterday.
“Hi, racing today (Wednesday) is canceled due to strong winds,” Philippine Rowing Association secretary Jercyl Lerin told Malaya-Business Insight shortly after the competition was scrapped.
Lerin said she would know when the regatta would resume from national coach Edgar Maerina in Tokyo following the team managers’ meeting scheduled later in the day.
“Hopefully, maganda na ang weather tomorrow. Waiting for announcement,” she added.
Five rowers supported by the Philippine Sports Commission are seeing action in the meet originally scheduled for three-days, bidding to break the country’s dry spell in the global sports gala since Benjie Tolentino saw action in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Cris Nievarez is set to compete in the men’s singles sculls, Roque Abala Jr. and Ariel Sumintac in the men’s lightweight double sculls, while Joanie del Gaco and Melcah Jane Caballero are set to see action in the women’s lightweight double sculls.
Del Gaco and Caballero, who between them won two gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, are tipped to go all out in securing one of three Tokyo slots available in the event while Nievarez, the 30th SEA Games men’s singles lightweight sculls champ, will vie for one of five berths available in his event.
Abala, a 30th SEA Games bronze medalist in the lightweight double sculls with Edgar Ilas, is teaming up with Sumintac.
