The flag of Cape Verde is flying in Montemor-o-Velho this week thanks to the drive of a Portuguese kayak club and the determination of two talented young paddlers who are daring to dream.
Cape Verde is making its first-ever appearance at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships as Diogo Araujo and David Costa set out on their Olympic mission.
Araujo, 20, and Costa, 18, were born and raised in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, but qualify to compete for Cape Verde through the nationality of their grandmother and grandfather, respectively.
After being provisionally accepted as a member of the ICF, Cape Verde is now able to enter major international events, giving the two paddlers the chance to compete against the best in the world.
Click here for startlists and live results from Montemor-o-Velho
It’s an opportunity Araujo and Costa are looking to seize as they make history for Cape Verde at the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Montemor-o-Velho.
“We would like to make Cape Verde a famous country in the world of canoeing,” said Costa.
“We are the first ones. It makes us feel nervous as we are now in the history, but it’s nice.
“Competing here is very important for us.
“We love to do this, and we hope that one day we can fight for the medals.”
Araujo competed in the men’s kayak single U23 1000m and teamed up with Costa in the men’s kayak double U23 500m.
Proudly watching on in Montemor-o-Velho is Portuguese coach Nuno Silva who is helping to nurture Araujo and Costa.
Silva works at the Kayak Clube Castores do Arade in Lagoa where Araujo and Costa have been paddling since they took to the water for the first time.
“I started working with these young guys from the beginning and now they are here in this World Championships,” said Silva.
“It’s a very proud moment for the club and myself to train these guys and adapt to representing Cape Verde which is very good for us and for them too.”
Silva is excited by the potential of Araujo and Costa as they aim to represent Cape Verde at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
“Diogo was a very bad boy in school, but canoeing gave him a lot of balance, and he is now much better in school,” said Silva.
“David started aged 14 and is a fast learner.
“He learned K1 in three months and in his first race he was second in Portugal.
“He is a talent.
“I am very proud to work with these young guys and now they are in this World Championships.
“It’s a first time for Cape Verde.
“Here in Portugal, the level is very high, and they are training with the Portuguese guys.
“Their grandparents are Cape Verdean, and I think it’s very nice for them to try to get to the Olympic Games.
“It will be an achievement to get there.
“It might be possible, it might be not but trying is more important.
“We start to organise everything to represent Cape Verde and now we are here.
“The goal is the Olympic Games in LA.”
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
Join Planet Canoe's YouTube channel for €9.99 per month to unlock members-only content and features
Read YouTube's frequently asked questions for more details.
Related links
