More history was made in Liptovsky Mikulas as Argentina picked up its first-ever title at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom Junior and Under 23 World Championships thanks to Manuel Tripano’s triumph.
After Ting Yang registered an historic junior gold for China at the Slovakian venue yesterday, it was Tripano’s turn in today’s men’s canoe U23 final to enter canoeing folklore with Argentina’s first slalom success on the global stage.
Slovenia’s Ziga Lin Hocevar completed a canoe-kayak double courtesy of his victory in the men’s K1 junior final, while Czechia celebrated two golds after wins for Gabriela Satkova and Klara Mrazkova.
Tripano posted a time of 95.27 to put him in pole position before watching on as seven more paddlers took to the water.
Czechia’s Lukas Kratochvil looked to have won it when he crossed the finish line only to receive a two-second penalty for a gate touch, giving Tripano the title.
“Wow, I don’t know what to feel, it’s my dream come true,” said Tripano.
“I thought it was a really good time and it might be enough for a medal.
“When I thought that Lucas got first position at the end, I was happy because getting a medal was a really big thing for me.
“When I was celebrating people told me that I was first so it was quite emotional.
“It’s a big moment for Argentina.”
Yohann Senechault of France finished 0.21 behind Tripano in second with Kratochvil taking bronze.
The Czech team were soon celebrating when Satkova delivered a brilliant performance to win her first U23 world title.
It was a strong field with fellow Paris-bound paddlers Marta Bertoncelli of Italy and Eva Alina Hocevar of Slovenia going up against Satkova.
Sakova powered to victory in 99.72, winning the women’s canoe U23 gold by almost six seconds.
“It feels amazing and it’s actually my first (world title) in U23 so I am happy I managed to win it,” said Satkova who flies to Paris on Monday for pre-Games training.
“It was a tough competition and that’s what I like.
“Everyone is pushing really hard to get the fastest time.
“This is a really important event for me.
“Once I don’t race for a month or two I feel like I don’t know what to do so for me it is better to do this before the Olympics.
“It is also great to be here with my friends because I cannot take all of them to Paris so it was great to share this with them.”
Bertoncelli and Hocevar collected silver and bronze respectively.
Czechia’s other gold was won by Mrazkova who captured the women’s kayak junior title in 103.21.
“I cannot describe my feelings as I am so grateful and so happy,” said Mzakova.
“It was my dream and it has come true.
“I made myself thing think that it was not about the result so I can enjoy the run and feel myself on the water.
“I hope this is just the start for my career.”
Poland’s Hanna Danek and Italy’s Caterina Pignat also produced clean runs, earning them silver and bronze respectively.
In-form Ziga Lin Hocevar backed up his dominant victory in yesterday’s men’s C1 junior final with a brilliant K1 triumph in 87.21.
After producing the fourth best time in the semi-finals, Hocevar delivered when it mattered most again, winning by almost six seconds.
“It’s simply unbelievable,” said Hocevar.
“It’s something that I have been working towards for so long.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I am really good in K1 as well as C1 and today I did that.
“It’s everything I wished for and everything I wanted.”
France’s Martin Cornu picked up two two-second penalties but he still did enough to win silver, while Czechia’s Michal Kopecek bagged bronze.
Competition will conclude tomorrow with the women’s and men’s kayak cross events.
All of today's results can be found here.
Pictures by ICF/Damiano Benedetto
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