Olympic-bound Cris Nievarez aims to propel rowing forward

As Filipinos are known for a number of things, such as boxing and beauty pageants, Cris Nievarez hopes that his beloved sport—rowing—could someday make the list.

Nievarez, who on Monday became the eighth Filipino athlete to book a slot to the Tokyo Summer Games, told GMA News Online that his ultimate goal is to put Philippine rowing on the world map and let the world know that Filipinos can excel in the sport.

He knows that there's still so much to be done, but everything has to start somewhere and he hopes to be that first ripple.

"The goal is to make our world standings get higher and of course, to let the world know that the sport is growing here in the Philippines," said the 21-year-old paddler in a phone interview.

"I want a medal, yes, but my ultimate goal is to really promote the sport not only here in the country but as well in other parts of the world," he said.

Nievarez flew back to the Philippines on Monday morning with a firm belief that his Olympic dream is temporarily put on hold after a no-win campaign in the 2021 Asia and Oceania Olympic Continental Qualification Regatta in Tokyo, Japan last week.

But Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) president Patrick Gregorio delivered some big news, saying that the 2019 SEA Games gold medalist has clinched a slot for this year's Summer Games.

The Atimonan, Quezon native actually finished ninth overall in the qualifiers but as other countries ahead of him like host Japan and Iran have already qualified prior to the tournament, Nievarez was able to secure a ticket.

With his qualification, the Filipino paddler joined an elite cast which consists of EJ Obiena (pole vault), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), and Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, and Nesthy Petecio (boxing) for this year's global meet.

Nievarez admitted that he felt pressured as he will be the third rower to make it to the Olympics after his coach Ed Maerina and Benjie Tolentino achieved the feat in the 1988 Seoul and 2000 Sydney, respectively.

Nonetheless, Nievarez said he will try his hardest to deliver a podium finish to the country.

"I don't know yet what are the plans of the federation but we will go back to La Mesa Dam to continue our training and I will just do my best to contribute to our medal haul come SEA Games," he said.

—MGP, GMA News