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It was tough battle until the last metres of the women’s senior race, where Sweden’s Melina Andersson found more power that Vanda Kiszli of Hungary, who was fighting for her sixth consecutive World Champion title. It was a huge comeback from the Swedish paddler, who was paddling a big part of the race alone with two Hungarians Kiszli and Emese Kohalmi taking the lead in the race. “I was feeling tired for two laps and I wanted to give up. I just settled for the bronze or fourth so I went on the wash and started to feel like my power was coming back in the portage when Rebecca ran in the helpers lane. I got away perfectly whereas she fell in and I was like ‘Oh no, I am on my own’ so I tried to keep a steady pace. I was a bit surprised as I was starting to catch them. I was just staying calm and catching them bit by bit, and racing with speed when they started to change positions. I thought maybe I will catch them and then all of a sudden I caught up and went for it in the last sprint,” explained Andersson. Kiszli was second and Kohalmi third.

 

In men’s senior K1 event Denmark’s Mads Pedersen once more dominated the race and he won by almost two-and-a-half minutes. This was fourth World Champion title for Pedersen, “To win a world title is the biggest thing you can do in kayaking, so I am really happy. This is my fourth World Championship gold so that’s really crazy and I cannot believe it. I am super happy for all the people who helped me both here and at home. My parents are here and my training partners too so it’s just awesome.” Portugal’s Jose Ramalho picked up silver medal as Spain’s Adrian Martin secured bronze.

 

Ukraine’s Liudmyla Babak won her seventh successive world title in the women’s canoe single long-distance event. Hungary’s Zsofia Nora Kisban, who beat Babak in women’s C1 short-distance came second, while Ukraine’s Olena Tsyhankova won third place. “I am very happy. I am a seven-time world champion in long distance. For me, it is my distance. I was a little nervous but I controlled the situation and came out the winner. My plan is to be a 10-time world champion. I am not sure if I can do it but I will try,” said Babak.

 

Poland’s Mateusz Borgiel succeeded Spain’s Manuel Campos as the men’s C1 long distance World Champion. He dedicated his gold medal to his sister after revealing that he missed her wedding to attend the World Championships. “I am very happy as this is my first gold medal at the World Championships. I have been working for this for 10 years and this gold is a gift to my sister because it’s her wedding today and I can’t join the party as I am here,” said the new World Champion. Spain’s five-time champion Manuel Antonio Campos claimed silver, while Portugal’s Rui Lacerda picked up bronze.

 

There was also men’s junior K1 race on the programme. Here, Spain’s Victor Devesa and Italy’s Leonardo Candela both won men’s K1 junior golds as they shared top spot, while Hungary’s Tamas Ivancso collected bronze.