Brazil secures canoeing silver with Isaquias Queiroz

Canoeist Isaquias Queiroz won the silver medal in the C1 1000m category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The achievement gives him his fifth Olympic medal, making him second to gymnast Rebeca Andrade with six medals.

In a thrilling race at the Nautical Stadium in Vaires-sur-Marne, the canoeist managed to rise from fifth place, more than two seconds behind the leader, to finish second behind Martin Fuksa of the Czech Republic. Bronze went to Serghei Tarnovschi, from Moldova.

To give a rough idea how high the competition was, the time achieved by the gold medalist was the best Olympic mark of all time, with 3m43s16. In the sport, the term “record” is not used because of the different nautical conditions of each race. The Brazilian clocked 3m44s33 and Tarnovschi closed the race with 3.44s68.

The Brazilian ran a historic sprint in the last quarter of the race. He managed to take more than two seconds off the pace in the last 250 meters to finish second. Germany’s Sebastian Brendel, one of the favorites for gold, took last place.

In addition to the silver he won in Paris, the Brazilian canoeist has won gold in the C1 1000m at Tokyo 2020, silver in the C1 1000m, and C2 500m at Rio 2016, as well as bronze in the C1 200m, also at the Games in Brazil.

The feat sees Queiroz equal the number of Olympic medals won by sailors Robert Scheidt and Torben Grael, who all have five medals. Gymnast Rebeca Andrade is the top Brazilian medalist, with six medals.