Rower Cris Nievarez opens Team Philippines' Olympic campaign

July 22 ------ CRIS Nievarez kicks off Team Philippines’ campaign in the Tokyo Olympics on Friday morning at the Sea Forest Waterway. The Filipino rower in his Olympic debut will see action in Heat 5 of the men’s single sculls at 9:10 a.m. (8:10 a.m. Manila time).

In the heat, Nievarez will be competing against 2016 Rio De Janeiro silver medalist Damir Martin of Croatia, Privel Hinkati of Benin, Felix Potoy of Nicaragua, and Alexander Vyazovkin of the Russian Olympic Committee. The top three rowers in the six heats will move on to the quarterfinal round slated on Monday, July 26, while the others will proceed to repechage that will begin on Sunday, July 24 to determine the placings. The Olympic rowing competitions will run until July 30.

Nievarez is the first rower from the Philippines to see action in the Olympics since Benjie Tolentino in the 2000 Sydney Games. Martin is one of the favorites to win the gold with 2016 winner Mahe Drysdale already retired.

Source: sports.inquirer.net