Next stop, Asia for World Rowing’s indoor rowing qualifier

The event represents the fourth of five continental qualification events that help determine who will compete in the first-ever virtual World Rowing Indoor Championships from 23 to 27 February 2021.

“We’re really pleased with the entry,” says Chris Perry, World Rowing Development Consultant and Technical Advisor to the event. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but it’s encouraging during these difficult times to see such a good response.”

Perry says the entry from some middle eastern countries has been particularly successful. “Kuwait and Saudi Arabia both have put forth big entries and Saudia Arabia ran their own indoor championships last year. It is a reflection of their ambition to get more involved in the sport.”

Top athletes are among the entries. India’s sensation Dattu Bhokanal is set to compete. Bhokanal finished thirteenth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the men’s single sculls, a top finish for India, which made him a national icon.

Thailand’s Phuttharaksa Neegree has entered in the women’s lightweight ages 40-49 category. Neegree is a four-time Olympian and one of the most-medalled rowers in Asia both on the indoor rower and on the water. She is still actively competing at age 46 and hopes to make it to one more Asian Games.

Hong Kong China will see the participation of their national team athletes, including under-23 lightweight rower Chan Chi Fung who set several world records in his category during the coronavirus lockdown.

In the para rowing categories, Korea has entered their top athletes. Korea has one of the most developed para rowing programmes in Asia and is looking to further their progress.

The organising committee has been working day and night to ensure that athletes across Asia will be able to participate.

“There has been some difficulty in getting the technology set up and, of course, some communication barriers. Asia is very diverse and we have entries from all over. The time zones are also a logistical challenge,” Perry says.

In order to ensure a smooth event, the organising committee has run tests together with the timing provider Time Team and Perry says it looks to be going well. Participants from all 14 countries must have the correct information and be able to connect come race day.

Teams are using a mixture of creating ‘nodes’ of corona-safe zones and racing from home. In Hong Kong, for example, the national team has set up a closed training centre where athletes and staff reside. They are also tested weekly for the coronavirus. The national team athletes will race from the training centre, while many masters competitors are set to compete from rowing machines at home.

“There is nothing else going on at the moment,” Perry explains. “It offers an opportunity to compete in a socially distanced event from home. We received quite some support from the government to help run it. They were willing to support such a unique thing. It’s not possible for many other sports. It’s quite unique that rowing is capable of running such an event.”

The racing starts at 13:00 Hong Kong time and the organising committee will set up a live stream as well as commentary during the event. Please check back for a link to the live stream.

For the full entry list, click here: https://worldrowing.entries.regatta-systems.com/wrich-asia/2021

For more information, click here: https://worldrowing.com/event/2021-world-rowing-indoor-championships-asia-qualifier/