Mixed events have made a strong return as Nanchang prepares to host the 2025 Asian Canoe Confederation Canoe Sprint Asian Championships.
The 2024 edition of the continental event had the mixed canoe double 500m and mixed kayak double 500m races.
This year, athletes will also compete for the mixed kayak four 500m and mixed canoe four 500m titles.
A total of 244 paddlers from 20 countries will compete in the continental event set to begin tomorrow at the Yaohu International Aquatic Sports Centre.
Kazakhstan topped the medals table in the 2024 edition in Tokyo, with six gold medals, followed by Uzbekistan and 2025 hosts China.
The Uzbeks had three gold medals, and China two in the Japanese capital.
The hosts, however, will be fuelled by Olympic champions and women's C2 500m greats Mengya Sun and Shixiao Xu on home turf.
The undefeated duo since 2019 will be joined by plenty of Asian champions and medallists in other categories.
The Kazakhs have Olga Shmelyova, Artyom Terechshenko, and Mariya Brovkova, among others to lean on.
Paris 2024 Olympian and Asian men's canoe single 1000m champion Mohammad Nabi Rezaei of Iran and Vietnam’s Diep Thi Huong, who won the women's canoe single 500m title, will be among the ones aiming to retain their titles.
Pitpiboon Mahawattanangkul and Aphinya Sroichit of Thailand will hope to upgrade their bronze medal from Japan in the mixed C2 500m.
The pre-tournament festivities kickstarted today with some cultural display, including a martial arts performance and a dance that was themed around freedom.
Chinese Canoe Association President Tong Lixin, Gao Huihong, Vice Mayor of Nanchang Municipal People's Government, and Li Xiaoping, Party Secretary and Director-General of Jinanxi Provincial Sports Bureau, were among the dignitaries who attended the Opening Ceremony.
“As the President of ACC, I plan to host these championships every year, focusing on providing the opportunity to Asian athletes to show their capabilities and how much development they have gained so far,” ACC President Chainarong Charoenruk said.
“This year will also see more mixed races at the Asian Championships. This is a landmark, and we hope the athletes can enjoy this exciting new format.
“I’m very pleased to be here with all of you today. I thank the CCA and the Local Organising Committee in Nanchang for their efforts.
“I wish every team success and hope you achieve the goals you have set.”
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