After a sensational performance, Greek rowing Olympian Stefanos Ntouskos won the gold medal on Sunday at the World Rowing Championships held in Shanghai.
The Greek athlete competed with excellent tactics and was 3rd in the first 500 meters of the single sculls final and 2nd in the 1,000 meters. At that point in the course, Ntouskos accelerated and passed 1st in the 1,500 meters, to cut the finishing line first, after 6 minutes, 36 seconds and 75 milliseconds.
As the Greek rowing Olympian had done at the Tokyo Olympics, four years ago, the Greek world champion’s performance was impressive throughout the race. Especially in the last meters when he reached his opponents and from that moment on he took the lead and left the other rowers no room to react.
Despite his intense effort, the German, Oliver Seidler, who was leading until the 1,400 meters, fell behind Stefanos Ntouskos by 42 centimeter of a second (6:37.17) while the bronze medal was won by the Belarusian, Yauheny Zalaty (6:38.60).
First Greek gold in single sculls
Stefanos Ntouskos‘ gold in Shanghai is Greece’s first medal in the men’s single sculls at the World Rowing Championships and the first gold medal in any boat category since 2014.
Shortly after the finish, the Greek Olympian and world champion gave an interview to ERT, the state-owned public service broadcaster of Greece.
“I believed I can do it. I am very tired and I thank everyone who is by my side and supports me in this effort. I am very happy, I have no words. The race went the way I wanted and in the 1,000 meters I believed in it even more. I was patient and in the last 150 meters I gave it everything I had. It’s incredible,” he said.
The Greek rowing champion added: ” I thank Greece and all the Greeks. I hope I gave them a little joy. I… like the East, it’s the… golden East. I felt like I was going for the gold. I hope I can be an example to young kids. We may be a small country and the others may seem… giants, but in the end, it is the Greek soul that counts. When reach the top, it’s something unique, something shocking. The goal is recognition. I want to work and be in excellent shape, as I am now, for the Olympic medal in Los Angeles. Now I can… laugh. Thank you everyone.”
Greek Prime Minister, President of the Republic congratulate the Greek athlete
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated the Greek athlete posting on X: “Congratulations to Stefanos Ntouskos on winning the gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, making us all proud. Thank you for lifting Greece high!”
President of Greece Konstantinos Tasoulas made the following statement: “Congratulations to our Olympic Champion Stefanos Ntouskos, who, competing in the single sculls final at the World Rowing Championships being held in Shanghai, made an amazing effort and fulfilled his dream of a gold medal in a World event. Stefanos, with your “oars”, your effort, your perseverance and your patience you always raise Greece to the highest podium by teaching the young and the old.”
Stefanos Ntouskos represented Greece the best way by winning the gold medal in men’s single sculls at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, in the men’s lightweight coxless four, the Greek rowing champion finishing in 6th place.
