Lithuania golden at 2015 Universiade

No strangers to international competition, Donata Vistartaite and partner Milda Valciukaite led the way for the Lithuanian team, winning the women’s double sculls on this same stretch of water where they were crowned World Champions in 2013. They posted a winning time of 6:44.92 (6.9 seconds faster than their 2013 gold medal performance on Lake Tangeum). The Ukrainian double of Ievgeniia Klimovich and Daryna Verkhgliad were first to the 500m mark, but the Lithuanians soon gained the lead and moved into an unassailable position in through the middle 1000m stretch.

The Ukrainians finished in silver position and Belarusians, Tatsiana Klimovich and Krystsina Staraselets showed some speed in the final 500m to hold their Bronze medal placing against an incredible burst from China. The crews finished in 6:53.19 and 6:53.42 respectively. Ariana Borkowska and Lewandowska of Poland finished in fifth and Estonians Kaisa Pajusalu and Marliis Reinkort crossed the line in sixth.

Lithuania were equally dominant in the men’s double sculls where Rolandas Mascinskas and Saulius Ritter completed the 2000m course in 6:03 for the gold medal. Poland’s Dawid Garbowski and Adam Wicenciak finished with the silver in 6:11 ahead of Germany’s Timo Piontek and Tim Grohmann, who took bronze. Marek Reznak and Andre Redr of Slovakia placed fourth. Udam Juri-Mikk and Geir Suursild of Estonia and Federico and Davide Mumolo of Italy finished fifth and sixth respectively.

The men’s singles sculls was an exciting finish with Lithuania again emerging victorious. Zygimantas Galisanskis shifted into a new gear in the final 500m, moving from third position to the top of the podium. Italy’s Simone Martini was less than half a second behind, settling for silver in 6:52.42. Koen Metsemakers (NED) was unable to respond to Galisanskis’ surge to the line, and crossed in bronze medal position in 6:56. Monaco’s Quentin Antognelli, New Zealander Joshua Earl, and Korean Hyunsu Park finished in quick succession in 7:04.14, 7:06.01 and 7:08.48 respectively.

The women’s single sculls was yet another Lithuanian win. Lina Salyte cruised to gold in 7:25. Ukrainian Nataliia Dovgodko won silver and bronze went to Marloes Oldenburg of the Netherlands. Hungarian sculler Krisztina Gyimes placed fourth, Russian Aleksandra Smirnova crossed in fifth and Joanna Dittmann of Poland finished sixth.

Japan ranked second in the medal rankings, adding a bronze medal to their two golds from the second day of racing. Ukraine, ranking third overall, placed six crews in to the A-finals and emerged with five medals in total (one gold and four silver). Italy concluded the regatta in fourth place after ten of their twelve crews advanced to the A-finals and garnered six medals (one gold, two silver, three bronze). Germany’s seven A-finalist crews finished with five medals (one gold, two silver, two bronze) to give them fifth place overall.

The 2015 Universiade regatta proved an exciting and highly competitive event. Many athletes will now return home to train and prepare for their next year of studies and rowing at their various universities. Some will go on to join their country’s under-23 national team to race again later this season at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

More information regarding the 2015 Universiade  and full results can be found at the official website: http://www.gwangju2015.com/