Rower Cris Nievarez aims to beat personal best in Tokyo Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – Newest rowing sensation Cris Nievarez knows he will have to bulk and strengthen up to have a legitimate chance at a memorable performance in the Tokyo Olympics in July.

Nievarez, who became the eighth Filipino Olympic qualifier after he was given a spot last Monday due to qualification rules that allows only a maximum of two berths per country, said his immediate goal is to improve on his personal best time of seven minutes and 10 seconds in the men’s singles sculls in Tokyo.

And he would need to have more stamina and power to achieve that.

“Goal ko makadikit sa mga malalakas na country, mga European. Ma-improve yung time ko, makadikit sa mga medalist ng Olympics,” said 21-year-old Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

“Kaya kailangan pa dagdag sa muscle and endurance,” he added.

Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) president Patrick Gregorio said they would do everything to support the Atimonan, Quezon native.

“Lahat ng additional training, ibigay natin kay Cris. Hahanap tayo ng suporta para mabigyan siya ng exposure,” said Gregorio. “Our focus is going to be on Cris for the next two months.

Nievarez is one of the country’s biggest success stories of the year as he qualified despite having only trained in the country — La Mesa Dam.

For his effort, Nievarez will join pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz in seeking to end the country's long search for an elusive first Olympic gold.

Gregorio also hopes to build on this recent feat.

“We plan to have a national training center in Ternate, Cavite. It is perfect for a regional training hub and andyan lang Benjie para magturo,” said Gregorio referring to 2000 Sydney Olympics veteran Benjie Tolentino.