STRONG winds and high waves forced the cancellation of the first day of the World Rowing Asia and Oceania Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta on Wednesday at the Sea Forest Waterway in Shinagawa-ku in Tokyo.
The cancellation forced all athletes—including 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Melcah Jen Caballero and four others on Team Philippines—to go indoors and train on rowing machines.
Organizers said they will announce on Thursday morning if races could go on, according to Philippine Rowing Association president Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.
“We did indoor training in the morning to maintain our weight while still waiting for further announcements from organizers,” Caballero said. “It’s still the same movement in water when you’re using a rowing machine.”
Caballero and Jonie Delgaco were in harness for the lightweight women’s doubles sculls event but waves as high as three feet forced organizers to call off all races for the day.
Head Coach Edgardo Macabitas Maerina told BusinessMirror that the athletes need to focus on their rowing muscles for the next two days of the competition.
“The winds were very strong and the cancellation would be tough for everyone because of the adjustment in schedule,” Maerina said.
Had the races been staged, Maerina said his wards would have been in their comfort zone.
“Our athletes have been competing in coastal rowing and even at La Mesa Dam, so we are used to this kind of situation,” he said.
Caballero, a Seaman Second Class at the Philippine Navy, and Delgaco will be up against athletes from South Korea, Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, host Japan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Chinese-Taipei, Iran and Uzbekistan in their quest for a slot in the Tokyo Olympics.
The top three finishers in the men and women doubles sculls and the top five in the singles sculls will qualify for Tokyo.
The other members of the team are lightweight men double sculls
Also seeking Olympic qualification are Zuriel Sumintac and Roque Abala in men’s double sculls and Cris Nievarez, who also won a gold in the 2019 SEA Games, in men’s single sculls.
“Every race is crucial. If the weather doesn’t cooperate and they cancel the race again especially the finals, standings and times will possibly be the basis for determing which country will qualify for the Olympics,” Caballero, 25, said.
The team thanked the PSC for supporting their campaign as they hope to join Rio weightlifting silver medalist 2016 Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam on the growing list of Tokyo Games qualifiers.
“We thank the PSC for its support and trust and help in our preparations,” Caballero said. “We are grateful for the online consultations in sports psychology and physiology which we needed so much while training.”
The PSC, through chairman William Ramirez, extended a P1.4-million assistance for the rowers’ campaign. The funding covered the team’s hotel accommodation, allowances and airfare.