Golden finish: Petrov and Shtyly became European champions in the double canoeing category.

Golden finish: Zakhar Petrov and Ivan Shtyly became European champions in the double canoeing category.

Russian canoeists Zakhar Petrov and Ivan Shtyly achieved a decisive victory at the European Championships held in Portugal. In the final race of the double canoeing category over 500 meters, our team demonstrated an extremely high pace, finishing with a time of 1 minute 42.801 seconds. Their competitors from Spain and Hungary couldn’t compete with the leaders. For Petrov and Shtyly, this victory is a confirmation of their status as champions. A year ago, this duo already reached the top of the podium, winning the world championship in the same event. The success of these Russian athletes is a sign of their strength in the European arena. The day before the competition, Zakhar Petrov won silver in the individual 1000-meter race. Alexey Korovashkov also managed to place in the top three in the 500-meter race. Despite competing in a neutral environment, the skill of our athletes shows no doubt about their superiority in the European arena. This victory is of great importance for the Russian canoeing team, which has traditionally been among the strongest in the world. The athletes trained intensively in Kislovodsk, focusing on improving their starting speed and finishing techniques. The 500-meter distance is considered the most dynamic distance, requiring perfect synchronization between the boats. This result not only confirms Russia’s lead in this category, but also provides a solid foundation for future Olympic competitions. The coaching staff notes that the duo is making steady progress, adapting their tactics to the changing conditions of the water. In the coming months, the team will focus on improving their swimming techniques and increasing their endurance, so as to maintain their dominance in the international arena.