Rui Fernandes, coach of the world champions in K2 500 meter canoeing, considered this Sunday as unique the dedication and commitment of João Ribeiro and Messias Baptista to the objectives of the work team.
“These two athletes are fantastic. Different from each other, but natural workers and with above-average training. They respect the coach like no one else. They are fantastic. It’s no coincidence that we get along very well, being together 24 hours a day. 7 “Always, in good times and in less good times. Always together and united. We know that unity is strength and they know how to be. That’s why they manage to reach these moments and be well,” he praised.
João, 34, and Messias, 24, needed to be in the top six to guarantee Portugal’s place in Paris 2024, clinching the world title over this Olympic distance in 1.29.037 minutes, 47 thousandths of a second faster. than the Hungarians Bence Nadas and Balint Kopasz, who took the silver.
“(The heart) suffered a lot, but it’s working well. It’s a huge joy, only they and I know how much we worked and suffered during the year. It’s a huge joy to leave here with a world title. We knew something good. “I was going to pass. We would already be satisfied with the Olympic qualification, however, going out with the world title in our pocket is all we wanted. There are no words, it is an indescribable dream, “he vented.
Arriving at Paris 2024 being world champions “does not mean” much in a date where the first eight of this World Cup finished in the same second.
“The K2 500 is a very competitive race, the differences are minimal. It’s about working hard, always thinking of the best, getting to the Games and doing the best we know how to do, which is competing on equal terms and then.” We’ll see,” he said.
Before, João and Messias still have to go through tests that will determine which duo will present Portugal in the Olympic Games, since the vacancy they conquered was for the country.
The duo also participated in the K4 500, which was left out of the top 18: as for the other two crew members, Kevin Santos still did the K1 200 and was fourth, while Emanuel Silva, who was looking for his sixth Olympic presence, did not participate in others. events.
Source: TSF
