Indonesia and Thailand have become the first teams to secure Dragon Boat quotas at the Chengdu 2025 World Games.
After three 10-seater mixed category races at the 2024 International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Cup in Zigui, Yichang, Indonesia and Thailand were tied with 57 points.
However, victory in the 200m meant that Indonesia qualified as the top nation.
Myanmar missed out by one point, finishing third but they will be confident heading to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines for the World Championships, where nine quota places are on offer.
If China had qualified in Yichang, ten teams could have secured Chengdu 2025 spots at the World Championships. However, they finished fourth with 51 points and will compete in the World Games thanks to one quota reserved for the hosts.
On day two, Thailand was in the lead after winning the mixed 2000m category, but the order of the standings changed after Indonesia won the 200m and Myanmar took the 500m title, respectively.
Indonesia and Myanmar were involved in a heated battle in the 200m, with the former producing a sensational push towards the end to take gold in 45.903. Thailand finished with bronze.
“We are amazed with the result. Honestly, we did not have the best preparations but still managed to do it,” said Indonesian team leader Cinta Priendtisca Nayomi.
The 500m saw Myanmar take the title in vain. Thailand, however, did just about enough to beat Indonesia to silver in 02:00.813, and secure qualification.
“We are happy to qualify. We believed we could do it in Zigui and have been training hard for a year,” Patchawat Kirdnak, coach of Thailand, said.
“But Indonesia and Myanmar were giving us tough competition. Now, we go back and work harder for the Games.”
The final day also saw races in the open 10-seater 2000m, women's 10-seater 2000m, open eight-seater 200m and open eight-seater 500m.
Thailand proved that World Games qualification was not their only target, winning both eight-seater races.
In the 200m, they got the better of the Shunde Daliang Damen Dragon Boat Association with a timing of 48.043 with China taking the bronze medal.
In the 500m, the Thai team were almost three seconds faster than second-placed China in 02:14.203 while the Shunde Daliang Damen Dragon Boat Association got bronze.
Myanmar won gold in the open 10-seater 2000m in 09:01.810 and China cruised to victory in the women's 10-seater 2000m, clocking 10:25.810.
For the full results, click here.
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