China and Myanmar won the women's eight-seater 2000m and the open eight-seater 2000m, respectively, on the first day of action at the 2024 International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Cup in Zigui County, Yichang.
The hosts were dominant from start to finish, taking the title in 10:28.760, almost a minute faster than second-placed AIN club team Arrow, who clocked 11:20.020.
The bronze medal went to Team Spreecoyoten from Germany, who crossed the finish line in 11:25.760.
Myanmar were almost three seconds faster in the open eight-seater 2000m final, taking the gold medal in 9:25.630.
Thailand bagged silver with a timing of 9:28.300. Chinese club Hubei Zigui ensured the local fans got what they came for, claiming the last spot on the podium. However, the bronze medallists were well behind in 10:06.900.
Two heats in the mixed 10-seater 200m started the proceedings on Friday, with Thailand, China, Indonesia and Hong Kong all qualifying for the finals.
Club teams dominated the first heat of the women's 10-seater 200m, with Arrow and Dagun Pilipinas going through. India and China joined them.
China, Arrow and Dagun Filipinas also impressed in the mixed eight-seater 200m, but Mynamar surprised the field, finishing first in heat one with a timing of 54.412.
In the 10-seater 200m open category, Hubei Zigui topped heat one in 47.817, followed by another Chinese club named Shunde Daliang Damen Dragon Boat Association taking second place. China and Arrow finished first and second, respectively in the other race.
The afternoon session started with the mixed 10-seater 500m category as Thailand cruised to victory in heat one in 1:59.946. Indonesia came second while the other heat saw Myanmar and Arrow qualifying.
The open category in the 10-seater 500m had everyone on their toes with 0.437 seconds separating the winners Arrow and Hubei Zigui.
In stark contrast, the other heat saw Shunde Daliang Damen Dragon Boat Association beat another AIN club Tigers Vladivostok to second place with ease. Shunde completed the race in 2:05.374 while Tigers Vladivostok finished in 2:06.923.
Day one started with a spectacular Opening Ceremony that saw the cultural heritage of Zigui and Dragon Boat on display.
“Together with numerous partners, we have been able to promote this sport, which is so important for China, worldwide,” ICF Board member Budiman Setiawan said.
“Just recently, together with our partner BYD and the CCA, we were able to hold dragon boat events at the Olympic Games and were able to bring the sport closer to millions of viewers in Paris and in front of their televisions as a demonstration sport of the Olympic Games.
“And together with strong partners like CMG, CCA and BYD we are trying to develop this inspiring and oriental culture rooted sport also in the future.”
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