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In a special ceremony that was not only attended by Javier Hernanz and his family and friends but also by president of the International Canoe Federation Jose Perurena, president of Spanish Olympic Committee Alejandro Blanco and president of the Royal Spanish Canoe Federation Juan Jose Roman Mangas, kayaker Javier Hernanz received a bronze medal after a sporting gesture of Norwegian paddler. Eivind Vold crossed the finish line of the 5000 metres event in Montemor-o-Velho in a third position, just ahead of Hernanz, and was thus awarded a bronze medal. But after careful consideration after the race he realised he made a mistake and missed the buoy, so he returned a medal and stated the medal should be given to Spanish paddler.

 

 

 

“We are here for a gesture that is the basis of clean sport. It is recognition of rigor, honesty, and respect for the work of others,” said Hernanz.

 

 

 

With this bronze the medal count of Spain at the 2018 World Championships rose to six. Carlos Garrote was the World Champion in the K1M 200m event, Saul Craviotto and Cristian Toro won silver in K2 200m final and also silver together with Marcus Cooper Walz and Rodrigo Germade in K4 500m event, silver was won by Francisco Cubelos and Inigo Pena in K2 1000 metres final, while bronze medal went to the hands of Hernanz in the 5000 meters race as well as to K4M 1000 metres crew (Francisco Cubelos, Ruben Millan, Pelayo Roza and Inigo Pena).

 

 

 

However, this occasion was not the only one this year with Javier Hernanz being in the spotlight of Spanish media and fans. Earlier this year he made a great promotion for Spanish canoeing in a popular TV Show Dancing with the stars (Bailando con las estrellas) on TVE (Spanish national television). There he was eliminated ninth just before reaching the semifinal stage of the show, after being eliminated in a duel with popular Spanish singer David Bustamante.