Meet the first Filipina rower to make it to the Olympics
joanie delgaco asian games rowing

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Get to know the 22 Filipino athletes bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics through SPIN.ph’s pre-Games preview. Fifth of a series]

WOMEN can make waves, too, and the first Filipina rower to ever do it on the Olympic stage will be Joanie Delgaco.

The 26-year-old rower will vie in the 2024 Paris Olympics’ women’s single sculls event after qualifying via the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Qualification Regatta last April.

She becomes just the fourth Filipino rower to make it to the quadrennial showpiece after Cris Nievarez in 2022, Benjamin Tolentino Jr. in 2000, and Edgardo Maerina in 1988.

While the feat may seem like a treat to many, the Camarines Sur native, who admits to being an introvert, considers it both sweet and scary.

“After three attempts to qualify over the past years, ito na nagkatotoo na, nabigyan na ng chance mai-represent ang Pilipinas. ‘Yung dream ko, natuloy na,” she told SPIN.ph. “Malaking bagay ito para sa akin and sa Philippine rowing.”

joanie delgico

Delgaco has been part of the national team since 2015 and has won a Southeast Asian Games gold in Manila 2019, as well as a silver and two bronze medals in Hanoi 2021.

She trains thrice a day.

Despite her popularity in the rowing community, Delgaco still finds herself alone, just because she’s shy.

“Sabi sa akin ng teammates ko nung nag-qualify ako, ‘yung mga pinaghirapan ko nagbunga na, sa training na sobrang seryoso, lagi akong mag-isa kasi mahiyain ako talaga, di marunong makipag-socialize. And ‘yung mga iyak ko sa gabi, nagbunga na,” she shared.

‘Bola to Bangka’

Delgaco sure has come a long way after deciding to switch sports.

She revealed that rowing wasn’t originally her sport as she played volleyball growing up, and was good enough to play in a Palarong Pambansa in Bicol.

“Volleyball ang laro ko noon. May coach lang na naghahanap ng babae na matangkad tapos kinausap yung parents ko kung gustong mag-try, akala ko nung una beach volleyball, ‘yun pala rowing, sabi ko ang layo naman, pero tinry ko, pumunta kaming Manila,” she said.

Joanie was 17 years old when she took that leap of faith.

“Kasama ko papa ko nung unang luwas kasi nga minor pa ako,” she said. “Ilang buwan ko sinubukan, nagustuhan ko yung rowing. Dati kasi nung sa volleyball parang di ko nakikita na mag-grow ako sa sport na ‘yun, tapos na-try ko to, tinuloy-tuloy ko lang.”

As she prepares to step into the biggest stage of all, Delgaco vowed ro make most out of the opportunity.

“Makakalaban ko mga malalakas talaga, kung hindi man ako mag-medal, for sure, may mga matututunan ako na madadala ko pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas,” she said.

The Olympic rowing events begin on July 27.