Incident-packed mixed relay races put spectators on the edge of their seats as the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships ended in thrilling fashion in Montemor-o-Velho.
Fans filled the main stand as they watched paddlers jostle for position in dramatic changeovers in between entering and exiting the portages.
The junior titles were won by China’s Haozhe Zhang and Qinghua Liang in the canoe and Italy’s Leonardo Candela and Sofia Zucca in the kayak before Hungary triumphed in both U23 races.
David Uhrin and Borka Zagyvai swept to victory in the C1 before Lorinz Halmy and Eszter Julia Rendessy dashed Portugal’s hopes in the K1.
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It was the third appearance of the mixed relay 5000m races after featuring in 2023 and 2024 and it did not disappoint.
There were plenty of thrills and spills as paddlers entered the portage, dropped their boats and tagged their teammates in front of excited supporters.
Brazil’s Lucas Santos was leading the mixed C1 junior relay 5000m only to lose control of his boat at the first portage, allowing Zhang and Czechia’s Robin Hirsch to overtake.
A great first changeover from Hirsch to Tereza Jiskrova saw the Czechs briefly hold the lead.
But strong paddling from Liang saw her overtake Jiskrova before starting to pull China further clear.
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Liang and Zhang opened up a healthy lead as they cruised to victory in 23:48.92.
Portugal’s Leonardo Barbosa and Lara Castro Lopes finished well to claim silver in 24:30.91, while Hirsch and Jiskrova secured bronze in 24:45.61.
Hopes of further Chinese success in junior were dashed when Jiayang Zheng capsized in an absorbing start to the mixed K1 junior relay 5000m.
Hungary’s Huba Borda was in first position only to fall into the water as he approached the opening portage.
Italy’s Candela made the most of the Borda’s mistake as he put Zucca in a great place to forge ahead.
Zucca and Candela did not look back as they continued to stretch their lead before triumphing in 21:53.84.
Borda recovered from his early slip up as he and Vivien Lesko bagged silver in 22:16.01.
Bronze went to Czechia’s Jakub Sindel and Barbora Janotova after crossing the finish line in 22:16.45.
“It was very difficult and funny but it was a good race for us,” said Candela.
“It’s a beautiful emotion to win a gold medal and be world champions.
“Sofia is a great partner.”
There were no such issues for Hungary in the mixed C1 U23 5000m as Uhrin and Zagyvai took the title.
Spain were leading before Ana Cantero was overtaken by Zagyvai in the second lap, putting Hungary in pole position.
Even a slip by Uhrin at the final portage failed to derail Hungary as they triumphed in 23:51.88.
Uzbekistan’s Mirjalol Kamilov and Shokhsanam Sherzodova clinched silver in 23:59.74, while Italy’s Marco Tontodonati and Olympia Della Giustina crossed in 24:08.00 for bronze.
“It was a really good race for us,” said Uhrin.
“We are really prepared for this type of race style as we also compete in marathons. We work together well, so we are very happy with our result as we did everything we could do.
“I had a little accident but I tried to get up as fast as possible and made contact with Borka.”
Competition came to a close with one of the best races of the World Championships as Hungary got the better of Portugal in a titanic tussle.
The lead swapped several times before Hungary’s Halmy and Rendessy overcame Portugal’s Joao Duarte and Maria Games to win the mixed K1 U23 relay 5000m crown.
Duarte and Gomes got the crowd going when they took the lead at the first changover.
A superb second lap from Rendessy saw the Hungarians move in front before Gomes produced a brilliant second changeover.
Gomes was too quick for Rendessy as she put Halmy ahead going into the third and penultimate lap.
There was little between Portugal and Hungary as Halmy entered the final portage in first place before Gomes exited quicker than Rendessy again.
It was a fight to the finish as Rendessy looked to chase down Gomes in the final lap.
Rendessy proved too strong over the final 100m as Hungary clinched victory in 21:35.58.
Duarte and Gomes claimed silver in 21:36.12, with Spain’s Alberto Llera and Yaiza Novo earning bronze in 21:49.75.
“It was a very hard race,” said Rendessy.
“I wasn’t at my best, my portage was terrible but I am really happy that I can finish my U23 years with a gold medal.
“I am very proud of my partner as he was very good and fast.”
Pictures by Bence Vekassy
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