Hungary’s Vanda Kiszli believes her world title showdown with Sweden’s Melina Andersson “might have turned out differently” had a quota place for The World Games 2025 not been on the line.
Kiszli had won the women’s kayak single long-distance crown at the previous five editions of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships before Andersson emerged victorious last year.
Andersson overcame Hungarian pair Kiszli and Emese Kohalmi to take the title for the first time in September in Metkovic, Croatia.
Although she missed out on the world title, Kiszli got the better of Kohalmi to earn The World Games quota for Hungary.
Speaking to the Hungarian Canoe Federation, Kiszli reflected on her performances in Metkovic and insisted sealing the quota for Chengdu 2025 was her main objective.
"Melina Andersson is a very, very good competitor, so she has all the qualities to be a good marathoner,” said Kiszli.
“I really like competing with her, as she is a very good and fair opponent.
“When you start a race, you want to win.
“But when there is a task where you have to get a quota, it is not necessarily imperative that you win at all costs, but that you have the quota.
“Since two competitors from Hungary started, and only one could get a quota, my most important task was to finish before Mesi (Kohalmi).
“I'm not saying that I didn't want to win, but maybe if it wasn't for the quota, but if it was just an average World Championships so to speak, it might have turned out differently.
“But I'm very satisfied with this second place and I'm very happy that I managed to get the quota."
Kiszli is now hoping to impress national selectors in her bid to be selected for The World Games 2025.
"I think about the World Games only indirectly, I prepare a lot for the selection,” said Kiszli, who won short-distance and standard-distance gold medals at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, United States.
“The only thing floating in front of my eyes is that I should manage to prepare as well as possible and be able to perform well.
“It’s no secret, I want to get to The World Games.
“However, we must proceed step by step.
“Now the focus is on the selectors."
Kiszli will also be seeking to regain her women’s K1 crown when she races on home waters in Gyor which will stage this year’s ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships from September 4 to 7.
"I have already had this once when the World Championships was held in Gyor in 2015 as well,” said Kiszli.
“I managed to win in the U23 field, and even then I could test myself against the adults.
“It's a lot different than racing abroad.
“The fact that you hear a lot of Hungarian fans and the fact that many of your family can be there gives you a lot of motivation and a plus.
“I definitely want to get out there.”
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