Greece celebrated a successful day at the European Rowing Championships in Varese, with Petros Gkaidatziswinning gold in the men’s lightweight single sculls and Stefanos Douskos securing bronze in the men’s single sculls.
Gkaidatzis delivered Greece’s first gold medal of the championships after dominating the lightweight single sculls final from start to finish.
The Paris Olympic bronze medallist took the lead within the opening metres and controlled the race throughout, crossing the finish line in 6:50.92 to claim his first European title in the event.
Germany’s Fabio Kress won the silver medal in 6:54.63, while Ukraine’s Ihor Khmara finished third in 6:56.80 to take bronze.
Men’s Lightweight Single Sculls Final
- Petros Gkaidatzis (Greece) – 6:50.92
- Fabio Kress (Germany) – 6:54.63
- Ihor Khmara (Ukraine) – 6:56.80
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Stefanos Douskos added another medal to his impressive European Championship record by claiming bronze in the men’s single sculls final.
Douskos opened the race in third place before increasing his pace to move into second and held that position for much of the contest. However, independent athlete Yevhenii Zalatyi overtook him with around 300 metres remaining.
Despite a late push to regain second place, Douskos crossed the finish line in 6:40.97, securing the bronze medal.
Germany’s Oliver Zeidler won the European title in 6:36.39, while Yevhenii Zalatyi, competing as an independent athlete, claimed silver in 6:36.94.
The bronze marked Douskos’ fifth consecutive European Championship medal, following four straight silver medals at the previous four editions of the competition.
Men’s Single Sculls Final
- Oliver Zeidler (Germany) – 6:36.39
- Yevhenii Zalatyi (Independent Athlete) – 6:36.94
- Stefanos Douskos (Greece) – 6:40.97