Cris Nievarez put Philippine rowing back in the Philippine sports scene.

A lean, 5-foot-11 native of Atimonan, Quezon, Nievarez became the first Filipino rower in 20 years to qualify for the Olympics since sport legend Benjie Tolentino.

With his latest conquest, the rowing prodigy who won a 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold is already showing that he’s in for the long haul given how determined he is to excel in the sport.

More importantly, though, the 21-year-old hopes that by clinching an Olympic berth, Philippine rowing will get a much-needed boost. – Rappler.com