After a nine-year absence, the national rowing squad finally sees action when it kicks off its campaign in the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre in Hangzhou, China.
Competition starts as early as 9 a.m. with Feiza Lenton and Tammy Sha competing in the lightweight women’s double sculls followed by Edgar Ilas and Zuriel Sumintac in the lightweight men’s double sculls.
The afternoon session will have Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Joanie Delgaco playing in the women’s single sculls with Olympian rower Cris Nievarez vying in the men’s single sculls.
The last time the national rowers competed in the Asian Games was in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.
They last won an Asian Games medal in 2002 in Busan with Alvin Amposta and Nestor Cordova clinching the bronze medal in the lightweight men’s double sculls.
National team head coach Ed Maerina told Daily Tribune that they opted to rent the boats provided by the hosts since the boats that will be used are from WinTech Racing, which is also the same brand that they are using at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City.
“We requested specifications from the boat builder from WinTech was done well. They have standard racing boats there and we would give out the adjustments we need because it depends on the weight of the rower,” Maerina said.
