Panna Sinko overcame defending champion and teammate Panna Csepe to win women’s kayak single under 23 gold on a dominant day for Hungary at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic.
The Hungarian team picked up five of the six gold medals on offer as they took the junior and U23 classes by storm at the Croatian venue.
Both of the junior crowns went Hungary’s way with Panni Hudi-Kadler and Panka Zatyko capturing the women’s kayak double title before Zsombor Szegi and Bonifac Koleszar sealed men’s canoe double gold.
There were also U23 victories for Mihaly Pluzsik in the men’s C1 and Lili Sara Matkovics in the women’s C1.
Hopes of a Hungarian clean sweep were ended in the last race of the day as Denmark’s Philip Knudsen triumphed in the men’s K1 U23 final.
Sinko and Csepe are set to compete in the women’s K2 final on Sunday but they were battling each other for gold on Friday.
Csepe was hoping to defend her title only for Sinka, who finished outside the medals last year, to come out on top in a gripping clash as Denmark’s Pernille Kuijers Hostrup claimed bronze.
“I am really happy as this is my last year in the under 23s,” said Sinko.
“It was a goal but it was hard to believe that it was possible.
“There are so many girls here so I feel honoured to race with them.
“It has been a really long season as we have been on the water since February and we haven’t had much rest so this is really special.
“We will do the K2 together on Sunday.
“We have been friends for years.
“I think a lot of people are rivals but we can work together really well.
“We don’t just talk about sport, we talk about everything else.
“We are always in the same room so I am really happy.
“Last year, she won the world title and I was really happy for her and now it is great to see that she is happy for me and doesn’t envy it so it is great to have something to have this personality and mentality.”
The day started well for Hungary with Kadler and Zatko winning the women’s K2 junior title.
South Africa’s Georgia Singe and Holly Smith were second, with Great Britain’s Annabel Hutchinson and Mollie Ball taking bronze.
Hungary also topped the podium in the following race, with Pluzsik claiming men’s C1 U23 gold.
Poland’s Eryk Wilga claimed silver with Spain’s Diego Pineiro Pereira securing bronze.
Szegi and Koleszar delivered another gold for Hungary when they won the men’s C2 junior title.
Ukraine’s Artem Bocheliuk and Maksym Lavrenchuk sealed silver, while the bronze medals went to Poland’s Krystian Kubica and Alex Wilga.
Matkovics overpowered Ukraine’s Anastasiia Dezhytska to clinch women’s C1 U23 gold.
Dezhytska bagged silver, with Czechia’s Alzbeta Veverkova capturing bronze.
“It has been a really long season at home and we are all really tired as it is the end of September now,” said Matkovics.
“I am really happy to be able to win this race.
“At home, all of the girls are also really strong and fast and here as well.
“It’s a huge thing for me to be here.
“I knew that I had really good pace to catch up with the Ukrainian girl and it worked so I am really happy.”
Zalan Peli added another medal for Hungary with men’s K1 U23 bronze but the gold went to Denmark’s Knudsen.
The Danish paddler pulled off a brilliant final lap to take the title as South Africa’s Ulvard Hart beat Peli in the battle for silver.
“It is the third year that I had paddled the K1 U23 class,” said Knudsen.
“I finished second two times so to win the race now means a lot.
“I have trained a lot for this race here, it has been a big goal for my season so to finish the race as the world champion is great.”
Pictures by Garry Bowden
For the results and competition schedule, click here.
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