Joanie Delgaco’s heartbreak from a failed Tokyo bid is now a thing of the past.
The 26-year-old rower made history as the first female rower to qualify for the Olympics with a superb performance at the 2024 Asia and Oceania Continental Qualification Regatta on Sunday in Chungju, South Korea.
The 31st Southeast Asian Games silver medalist finished fourth in the finals of the Women’s Single Sculls to secure her place in this year’s Paris Olympics.
Only the top five finishers in the single sculls and the top two pairs in the lightweight double sculls will qualify for this year’s Olympics, which opens on July 26.
This meant the end for Tokyo Olympics quarterfinalist Cris Nievarez in the men’s side and the pair of Rynjie Penaredondo and Zuriel Sumintac in the men’s lightweight double sculls as the three gentlemen were relegated to the Final B.
Delgaco has just joined the country’s Olympic centenary squad, which recently added 17-year-old artistic gymnast Levi Ruivivar two days ago.
The other members of the Paris-bound Team Pilipinas are pole vaulter EJ Obiena; artistic gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Alleah Finnegan; boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno.
