RAYONG, Thailand — Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon defied expectations to secure the Philippines’ 26th gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The Filipina tandem clocked 8 minutes and 16.976 seconds in the women’s 2,000-meter rowing final at the Royal Thai Navy Rowing and Canoeing Training Centre, outpacing Thailand’s Sukkaew Rawiwan and Chaempudsa Parisa by nearly five seconds.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Van Anh and Pham Thi Bich Ngoc claimed the bronze with 8:26.447, rounding out a dramatic podium finish. Delgaco, the Philippines’ first female Olympic rower, and 23-year-old Paraon combined experience and youthful energy to dominate the final.

Tandem triumph built on trust and perseverance

The duo’s belief in each other proved decisive. Paraon credited Delgaco’s leadership and mentorship for giving her confidence in the final stretch.

Delgaco, returning from a hiatus following the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaned on discipline and trust, saying that the presence of her family at the finish line provided motivation from start to end. Both athletes acknowledged that consistent training, teamwork, and faith played pivotal roles in their gold-winning performance.

Their final performance was methodical and commanding. Delgaco and Paraon gained over a second lead in the first 500 meters and maintained it throughout, showcasing technical precision and stamina against strong regional competitors.

Another Olympian adds to Philippines’ medal haul

Cris Nievarez contributed another medal in rowing by capturing bronze in the men’s single sculls. The Tokyo Olympian finished with a time of 8:22.121, behind Indonesia’s Memo (8:10.247) and Thailand’s Wattananusith Premanut (8:15.827).

Nievarez’s podium finish reinforced the Philippines’ strength in rowing at the SEA Games. His experience in international competitions provided a steady performance in a highly competitive field, highlighting the growing depth of the country’s rowing program.