Joanie Delgaco has already made her mark for the Philippines ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The 26-year-old native of Iriga, Camarines Sur, is the first Filipina rower to qualify for the prestigious event, achieving this milestone with a fourth-place finish at the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic Qualification Regatta in Korea last April.
Before securing her place in Olympic history, Delgaco initially played volleyball. “Yung isang coach ko po, tiga-Bicol po siya. Naghahanap po siya ng matangkad na babae, so nung pumunta po siya sa bahay namin akala ko for beach volleyball kasi yung tinutukoy niya sa tubig,” she shared in a previous interview with ABS-CBN News’ Dyan Castillejo.
“Eh yun po yung laro ko eh, volleyball po talaga ako. Tapos in-explain niya po sakin na i-try ko raw yung rowing,” she added.
After being introduced to rowing, the 5-foot-5 athlete showcased her talent, winning gold at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, followed by a silver and two bronze medals at the 2021 Hanoi Games.
Delgaco also clinched gold at the 2023 World Beach Games Asian Qualifying Tournament in the mixed double sculls with partner Edgar Ilas, leading up to her historic Olympic qualification in Korea.
She clocked in at 2:03.23, finishing behind competitors from Uzbekistan, Japan, and Iran, and expressed her surprise at qualifying. “Hindi ko po in-expect na mag-qualify ako kasi yung mga nakalaban ko, malalakas po talaga eh. Tapos sobrang sakit na po talaga, iba na yung hinga ko, pero inisip ko po yung mga pinagdaanan ko. Kailangan kong mag Top 5,” Delgaco explained.
Now, as the Paris Games approach, Delgaco is focused on her training. “Si Joanie, nagkataon na may event no, may laban. So part of the training, sumali na rin siya. Nanalo pa, so malaking bagay yun. Malaking improvement yun,” shared Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino regarding Delgaco, who is currently in a training camp with fellow Filipino Olympians in Metz, France.
“Mabigat yung training niya, so meaning, pag dating sa actual competition, magaan na. Magaan na yung tubig, yung boat,” he noted.
Delgaco, along with the 22-member Philippine delegation, will begin their Olympic journey on July 26, with the rowing event set to open on July 27.