Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis has been crowned World Champion after winning gold at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam on Thursday, August 27.
The 26-year-old Thessaloniki-born rower followed up his European Championship gold in Varese on August 2 by claiming the world title and securing another major success for Greek rowing.
The bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics, where he competed alongside Antonis Papakonstantinou in the lightweight double sculls, dominated the final and crossed the finish line in 6:47.77.
His victory also delivered the first gold medal for Greek men’s and women’s rowing at the World Championships.
German rower Fabio Kress made an excellent start to the final, taking the lead in the opening metres and pulling ahead of the other boats.
Gaidatzis remained composed, quickly closed the gap and moved into first place at the 750-metre mark.
The Greek rower then extended his advantage to more than a boat length, pulling clear of his rivals and maintaining a steady pace all the way to the finish to secure the gold medal and the world title.
Uruguayan Felipe Klüver Ferreira won silver in 6:51.50, finishing around four seconds behind Gaidatzis.
Mexico’s Alexis López-García claimed bronze in 6:52.06, while Kress, despite his strong start, finished fourth in 6:52.62.
Another Medal for Greek Rowing
Earlier in the day, Gabriela Lioliou and Lila Mouratidou won silver in the lightweight double sculls.
Their result marked the first of two medals for the Greek rowing team at the Amsterdam World Championships before Gaidatzis added the gold.
With his victory, Gaidatzis capped a remarkable summer by becoming both European and World Champion within the space of just 25 days.
