Sweden’s Melina Andersson has been named The World Games Athlete of the Month for September 2024 after her stunning success at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic, Croatia.
As well as winning two gold medals, Andersson earned a quota spot for Sweden at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.
Andersson won the quota courtesy of her first women’s kayak single long-distance title in Metkovic where she overcame five-time champion Vanda Kiszli of Hungary.
“It was an amazing feeling being able to win the long race,” Andersson told the International World Games Association.
“It has been a goal of mine for this season, and I am so happy that I could do it.
“The key factor was that I kept calm during the whole race and trusted my strengths.”
Andersson was also crowned world champion for a third successive time in the women’s K1 short-distance.
The Swedish paddler revealed after her triumph that her paddle broke on the morning of the event, meaning she had to compete with a spare one.
"At first, I didn’t feel good at all because I had never really used my spare paddle, but with some help, I managed to make it feel as close to my original one as possible," said Andersson.
Now holding both the short-distance and long-distance crowns in the women’s K1, Andersson is the new queen of the event, but she remains humble and focused on the future.
"I will keep doing what I have been doing for the last three years,” added Andersson.
“I will focus a lot on my sessions and keep training hard to be even better.”
Andersson is also looking forward to participating at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.
"It feels great, and I am really excited about The World Games next year," said the 25-year-old.
"It has been one of my main goals, and now I can focus on endurance and speed as I prepare for the competition."
When asked what advice she would offer to aspiring Canoe Marathon paddlers, Andersson added: "I would say to train hard and focus on paddling a lot each year.
"It’s also helpful to have a group of friends you can train with and analyse your races with."
Andersson will be in the Canoe Marathon field for the ICF Hangzhou Super Cup that will run from October 11 to 13.
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