MANILA – Filipino rower Cris Nievarez had a strong start for the Team Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after making it to the quarterfinals of the men’s single sculls on Friday at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo, Japan.
Nievarez – a native of Sariaya, Quezon City – landed on the third spot in the Heat 5 of his event to enter the quarterfinals.
The 21-year-old rower clocked seven minutes, 22.97 seconds to finish behind 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medalist Damir Martin of Croatia (7:09.17) and Alexander Vyazovkin of Russia (7:14.95).
“Masarap sa pakiramdam, unang race, unang sabak… para ito sa Pilipinas,” said Nievarez.
Prior to his event, there were reports that Nievarez might be prevented by Tokyo Olympics organizers from competing after being in close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He will have a day of rest before plunging back to action on Sunday morning for the quarterfinals.
The national team’s campaign continues today with gymnast Carlos Yulo competing in the qualifying round of the men’s all-around category at nine in the morning at Ariake Gymnastics Centre.
Yulo, the reigning world titlist in floor exercise, is tipped to make the final of at least three gymnastics events and vie for the gold medal in the championship round on July 28.
Taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, meanwhile, will also start his campaign today in the men’s flyweight class when he battles world’s No. 1 Jang Jun of South Korea at 10:52 in the morning at the Makuhari Messe Hall A.
Boxer Nesthy Petecio, for her part, seeks to hurdle Marcelat Sakobi Matshu of Congo in the Round of 32 in the women’s featherweight division at 11 in the morning in Kokugikan Arena.
On Sunday, Ilongga boxer Irish Magno begins her women’s flyweight round-of-32 match against Christine Ongare of Kenya, while shooter Jayson Valdez starts his campaign in the men’s 100-meter air rifle./PN
