Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls (BLM1x) – Final

Coming into this final Mexico’s Alexis Lopez Garcia looked to be the one to beat. Lopez was third in this boat class last year and at the start of this race he had the lead despite Italy’s Lorenzo Galano taking off at a 54 stroke rate. Now Brazil’s Uncas Batista did a push. Batista set a new under-23 World Best Time earlier this week and he had moved ahead of Lopez with Tunisia’s Mohamed Taieb in third.

Lopez and Batista went through the middle of the race together. Then Batista really pushed away and got an open water lead over Lopez. Lopez now had to keep an eye on Galano with Taieb trying to hold on to a medal spot. Rating 35 it was pure joy for Batista at the finish. Galano went to 50 to try and overtake Lopez. Lopez got to 40 and just held off the flying Italian. What a finish!

Results: BRA, MEX, ITA, CZE, TUN, GRE

Uncas Batista, Brazil, gold
“This is a very good result, I am so, so happy. This is my dream. Especially because I was injured for two years with a knee inflammation. I am so happy!”

Alexis Lopez Garcia, Mexico, silver

“I had a good race and I am happy with the result and I will be in Sarasota.”

Lorenzo Galano, Italy, bronze
“I had really hoped for a medal going into the race. It was very hard but I managed bronze. I was fighting very hard in the last part of the race, but Mexico was very fast. I will be in Sarasota in September

B-final

Cyprus was at the back of the pack in yesterday’s semifinals. He must have been saving something for today as Alexandros Zisimidis of Cyprus led through the first half of the race. But in the third 500 the race closed on Zisimidis and Turkey’s Enes Yenipazarli looked reading to overtake. The sprint was on. The field closed up. It was anyone’s guess. Thailand’s Jaruwat Saensuk had done it.

Results: THA, CYP, TUR, SVK, AUT, BEL