Indonesia showed why they will be among the ones to beat at Chengdu 2025, cruising to victory in the 10-seater mixed 200m at the 2024 International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships in Puerto Princesa on Saturday.
Despite securing qualification for The World Games at the ICF Dragon Boat World Cup in Yichang last month, they sent a strong message to the rest of the field.
Indonesia beat challenges from Myanmar and Chinese Taipei to win gold in 50.59. Spain finished fourth in 51.37, followed by the Philippines and Hungary.
Myanmar did not let the 200m result dampen their spirits. They finished fastest in the 10-seater mixed 500m semi-finals with a timing of 2:10.92, the last of the three races to decide the quota spots for the multi-sport event next year.
Hungary was the second fastest, crossing the line in 2:11.47. Indonesia, Ukraine, Chinese Taipei and Korea have all qualified for the finals on Sunday after three semi-finals.
Thailand continued their hot streak at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk, claiming two titles.
They beat Malaysia to gold in the 10-seater open 200m, with a timing of 47.52, with Iran taking bronze.
The Thai stars also triumphed in the 10-seater women's 200m, getting the better of silver medallists Singapore and third-placed Ukraine in 53.98.
Poland, Canada and Iran finished as the best nations in the junior races for the day, with the former taking gold in the junior 10-seater mixed 500m in 4:39.39.
The Philippines won silver in 4:42.25 and India finished with bronze in 5:07.27.
Canada and Iran sealed the top spot in the junior 10-seater open 500m and junior 10-seater women's 500m, respctively.
The masters over 40 10-seater open 200m was a close battle, with Hong Kong doing brilliantly to keep the hosts from adding to their gold medals from day two.
They crossed the line in 52.72, followed by the Philippines and Czechia. The hosts, however, hit back in the masters over 40 10-seater mixed 200m, clinching the gold ahead of Germany and Czechia in 1:52.17.
Ukraine, Canada and AIN won the masters over 50 10-seater 500m, masters over 50 10-seater open 500m and masters over 50 10-seater women's 500m titles, respectively.
Full coverage of this week's event can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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