Sweden’s Melina Andersson and Denmark’s Mads Brandt Pedersen completed a kayak double with impressive victories on the penultimate day of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic, Croatia.
After both winning the short races on Thursday, Andersson and Pedersen emerged victorious over the long distance as they sealed the K1 titles.
As well as being crowned champions for the second time in Metkovic, Andersson and Pedersen earned quota places for Sweden and Denmark respectively for The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.
While Pedersen stormed to the men’s K1 crown for a fourth time, Andersson pulled off a sensational fightback to break Hungary’s Vanda Kiszli’s stranglehold on the women’s K1.
Since 2018, Kiszli has topped the podium in the event but her hopes of winning it for a sixth successive time were dashed by Andersson.
It appeared to be a two-horse race with Kiszli and fellow Hungarian Emese Kohalmi looking to pull away.
Andersson was left to go it alone in third when Australia’s Rebecca Mann capsized before the Swede decided to launch a comeback.
After closing the gap on the Hungarians, Andersson overhauled Kohalmi and then faced a battle with Kiszli for gold.
Andersson found another gear as she forged clear to win the long-distance title for the first time.
“I was feeling tired for two laps and I wanted to give up,” said Andersson.
“I just settled for the bronze or fourth so I went on the wash and started to feel like my power was coming back in the portage when Rebecca ran in the helpers lane.
“I got away perfectly whereas she fell in and I was like ‘Oh no, I am on my own’ so I tried to keep a steady pace.
“I was a bit surprised as I was starting to catch them.
“I was just staying calm and catching them bit by bit, and racing with speed when they started to change positions.
“I thought maybe I will catch them and then all of a sudden I caught up and went for it in the last sprint.”
Kiszli had to settle for silver, while Kohalmi finished third.
Things were far more straightforward for Pedersen who brushed aside the rest of the field in a dominant display.
Pedersen was in cruise control throughout as he won by almost two-and-a-half minutes.
“To win a world title is the biggest thing you can do in kayaking, so I am really happy,” said Pedersen.
“This is my fourth World Championship gold so that’s really crazy and I cannot believe it.
“I am super happy for all the people who helped me both here and at home. My parents are here and my training partners too so it’s just awesome.”
Portugal’s Jose Ramalho produced a superb recovery in the final two laps to pick up silver as Spain’s Adrian Martin secured bronze.
Ukraine’s Liudmyla Babak swept to her seventh successive world title in the women’s canoe single long-distance.
Hungary’s Zsofia Nora Kisban, who beat Babak to win the women’s C1 short-distance title, came second, with Ukraine’s Olena Tsyhankova placing third.
“I am very happy,” said Babak.
“I am a seven-time world champion in long distance.
“For me, it is my distance.
“I was a little nervous but I controlled the situation and came out the winner.
“My plan is to be a 10-time world champion.
“I am not sure if I can do it but I will try.”
Poland’s Mateusz Borgiel dedicated his men’s C1 long-distance gold to his sister after revealing that he missed her wedding to attend the World Championships.
“I am very happy as this is my first gold medal at the World Championships,” said Borgiel.
“I have been working for this for 10 years and this gold is a gift to my sister because it’s her wedding today and I can’t join the party as I am here.”
Borgiel got the better of Spain’s five-time champion Manuel Antonio Campos who claimed silver, while Portugal’s Rui Lacerda clinched bronze.
The other race on Saturday saw Spain’s Victor Devesa and Italy’s Leonardo Candela both win men’s K1 junior golds as they shared top spot, while Hungary’s Tamas Ivancso collected bronze.
Pictures by Garry Bowden
For the results and competition schedule, click here.
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