Portuguese canoeist Fernando Pimenta won the K1 5,000 metres world title on Sunday at the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznan, Poland, leading the national team to a four-medal tally that earned official praise from Portuguese President António José Seguro.
Pimenta completed the 5,000-metre race in 24 minutes and 15.72 seconds during the final event of the competition, securing his second gold medal of the weekend after winning the K1 1,000 metres title on Saturday.
South Africa's Hamish Lovemore finished in second place with a time of 24:17.17 to take the silver medal, while Denmark's Mads Pedersen claimed bronze in 24:18.17.
Pimenta's Historic Record in Poznan
The victory marks Pimenta's third career world title in the K1 5,000 metres, following previous victories in 2017 and 2018. He also earned silver medals in the event in 2021, 2023, and 2024, as well as a bronze medal in 2019.
In a statement published on the official website of the Presidência da República, President António José Seguro highlighted Pimenta's second victory of the championships. President Seguro said that by winning the race for a third time and becoming the most decorated athlete in the history of the distance, Pimenta reaffirmed his status among the greatest figures in Portuguese sports.
Canoe sprint is a flatwater discipline where athletes compete in kayaks or canoes over set distances ranging from 200 to 5,000 metres. Pimenta has long established himself as a central figure in international kayak racing, representing Portugal at major international competitions.
Portugal Secures Four Medals Across Events
Beyond Pimenta's double gold, the Portuguese national team secured two further podium finishes in Poznan. João Ribeiro and Messias Baptista won the silver medal in the K2 500 metres event, while the crew of Gustavo Gonçalves, João Ribeiro, Messias Baptista, and Pedro Casinha took bronze in the K4 500 metres.
President Seguro also extended congratulations to Ribeiro, Baptista, Gonçalves, and Casinha for their podium performances. The head of state said the overall record of four medals, including two golds, confirmed Portuguese canoeing as a global benchmark in the sport.
The Canoe Sprint World Championships concluded on Sunday in Poznan, a city in western Poland known for hosting elite international rowing and canoeing competitions. Portugal finished the regatta with four total podium places across the men's sprint disciplines.
