The Hungarian competitors collected three medals, one each gold, silver and bronze, and thanks to the men's kayak foursome, they collected four more Paris quotas in Friday's finals at the Duisburg, Olympic qualifying kayak-canoe world championship.
In the first final of the afternoon program, Bálint Kopasz started off with a gold medal in the K-1 500 meters, thus earning his fourth world championship title, the first at this distance.
In a very close fight, he repeatedly repelled the attacks of the Australian Jean van der Westhuyzen and the Portuguese Fernando Pimenta, and in the end only 37 hundredths of a second decided the fate of the gold medal.
Bálint Kopasz: I have no problem with being in great shape by tomorrow
"At the last twenty meters, I looked out and saw that it would be over, it's true, I was really pissed at the end, but that's natural, especially in a field like this. I'm very happy that such a tough field came together, because it's nice to win like that. There is no problem with being in great shape for tomorrow and the day after, since we are talking about a good minute and a half, which can be quickly rested. From here on, the goal is for me to do my job, to rest, to take off as soon as possible, and then for our pair to do well, since it will be an Olympic number, even more valuable," Bálint Kopasz told the public media.
Paralympic champion Péter Pál Kiss obtained the para team's first Olympic quota in KL-1 200 meters.
There was no doubt about the victory of Kiss, who dominated the whole distance, and was even able to increase his pace halfway through the distance, thus leaving his new rival, the French Remy Boullet behind him. The BHSE competitor won his fourth world championship title in Duisburg.
Péter Pál Kiss: Towards the middle I felt that I still had to put it on, because the title defense wouldn't happen
"It was a close race, towards the middle and end I felt that I had to put more effort into it, because otherwise I won't be able to defend the title. It was a tough race. I ran for good years, I'm happy that this medal shines brightly even before Paris, it's a good look ahead to the next year"
- declared Kiss.
In the same event, Róbert Suba finished in fourth place, earning a quota, however, only one quota is allocated in one event, so Suba will still have a chance to get a quota in the VL-2 200 meters.
In the women's K-2 200m final, the pair of Kiss Blanka and Anna Lucz got off to a very good start, but the Polish and German unit was able to catch them at half distance, so they failed to defend their title - however, the medal was not lost. the duo Kiss, Lucz can stand on the third step of the podium at the World Championship in Germany.
"For some reason, what we have in us didn't come out well. I'm not sad, because it's a bronze medal at the World Championships, so I'm happy about it, especially after what we went through"
- rated Blanka Kiss.
Anna Lucz only found out during the interview that she won the World Cup bronze medal
"I'm happy with the third place, but we can say that that's not what we really came for. We still need to find motivation, we are a bit worn out in mind and spirit, physically we are completely fine"
Anna Lucz added.
The men's kayak foursome - Bence Nádas, Kolos Csizmadia, István Kuli, Sándor Tótka - ran a sensational race in K-4 500 meters, and was in the lead half way through the distance. In the end, the German boat overtook ours by a huge hair, but the Hungarian team managed to finish in second place and won the silver medal, thereby also gaining another quota for the Paris Olympics.
Bence Nádas: Everyone did a great job for this foursome
"We worked for this. Practically, we only prepared for this one number all year, with the exception of Bence, who has also been concentrating on the doubles for three weeks. I was also a bit nervous about this, I hoped that it wouldn't be a "spin-off", but fortunately Bence solved the task very well, he was able to get the most out of us and thus the silver medal ended up. We are incredibly happy!” - said Olympic champion Sándor Tótka.
"I am driving as a celebration, and tomorrow I will go for the team in the same way, since it is in the interest of all of us to have the maximum six quotas. I think the boys are also rooting for me and will be with me in my head, and this will help a lot."
- said lead rower Bence Nádas.
The women's kayak quartet consisting of Dóra Alida Gazsó, Tamara Csipes, Eszter Rendessy, and Dóra Hadvina had already secured the quota by reaching the finals in the 500 meters, but there they could not have a say in the fate of the medal places and finished seventh.
The unit struggled throughout the World Cup with the start, which did not go well this time either, and this time it was unable to fight with the rivals in the rest of the distance either. The victory was won by New Zealanders led by five-time Olympic champion Lisa Carrington.
Dóra Horányi and Takács Kincső finished sixth in the C-2,200 meters, Dániel Fejes finished eighth in the C-1,500, and Dávid Koczkás finished ninth in the canoe individual sprint final. Balla Virág will be interested in the B final in a similar women's competition.
The WC lasts until Sunday, ten finals will be held on Saturday, all of which will feature Hungarian boats.
