Pimenta world champion in K1 1000m

STATEMENTS TO BTV

With a tremendous performance this Saturday morning, August 26, Fernando Pimenta, canoeist of Benfica, won the K1 1000m final in the World Speed Championships in Duisburg, Germany.

The Portuguese champion dominated the race and reached the world title for the third time (2018, 2021 and 2023) by completing 1000 meters in 3:27.7 minutes, ahead of the Hungarian Ádám Varga (3:28.1 minutes) and the German Jakob Thordsen (3:28.3 minutes). With this result, Fernando Pimenta secured the qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"I'm one of the three canoeists to have three or more world titles in this category, we have just made history, once again," reacted Pimenta to RTP.

"It was a very hard race, very disputed from start to finish. We managed to fulfill the strategy defined by my coach [Hélio Lucas], we made an excellent race from start to finish, leading practically in all sectors. I managed to impose myself and make an excellent race", analyzed Fernando Pimenta, to BTV.

"Receiving congratulations from our President is always important. President is always important. I cannot forget that he has been a very present person in our sports, not only in football. He has been a very present president, who supports us both in good and bad moments, he always has a word of affection and comfort, which is very important. I have to be grateful for everything," said the champion.