Joanie Delgaco competes in the women’s single sculls at the 20th Asian Games. POC Media
Olympian Joanie Delgaco wrapped up her women’s single sculls campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with a sixth-place finish in Final A on Thursday at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course.
Delgaco clocked 8:01.63 in the medal race, while China’s Zhang Xinyu dominated the field to capture the gold medal in 7:21.53. Uzbekistan’s Anna Prakaten claimed silver, while Iran’s Fatemeh Mojallal Topraghhale took bronze.
Her sixth-place result also closes the Philippine rowing team’s campaign in the women’s single sculls at the continental showpiece.
Despite missing the podium, Delgaco said she was thankful to have completed the race and was satisfied that she had given her best.
“Hindi man po naka-podium, thankful po ako kasi natapos ko ang race. Maayos naman po ang naging performance ko at wala akong pinagsisisihan kasi ibinigay ko naman po ang lahat ng best ko,” she said.
The Filipina rower recalled thinking about the sacrifices and preparations that brought her to the Asian Games, including a two-and-a-half-month training camp in Germany following their initial preparations in the Philippines.
“Sa starting line pa lang, iniisip ko na lahat ng pinaghirapan namin sa training. Nag-start po kami sa Pilipinas, tapos sa Germany, kung saan nag-training kami nang two months and a half. Doon po ako nag-base, at talagang inisip ko lahat ng pinaghirapan namin. Sana po, nadala ko rito kaso kinulang pa rin po talaga.” she said.
Delgaco also credited the support of her family, particularly her parents and siblings, for encouraging her to keep going and believe in herself.
With her Asiad campaign now concluded, Delgaco is setting her sights on the next challenge: the Olympic qualification campaign next year.
“Wala na po akong iniisip ngayon kundi babawi talaga ako next year sa qualification sa Olympics. Isa po ito sa naging motivation ko para bumawi,” she said.