Bianca Ifteni Wins Historic Gold for Romania at U23 Canoe Worlds

Romanian canoeists captured four medals at the Under‑23 World Canoe Sprint Championships in Duisburg, Germany. Nineteen‑year‑old Bianca Ifteni secured the country's first ever gold in the women's single scull (BW1x), overtaking a strong start to finish five seconds ahead of Ireland's Sophia Young. The victory marked a historic breakthrough for Romania in this discipline.

Two Romanian crews earned silver medals: the mixed eight‑plus‑one (BMix8+) crew of Iuliana Irina Cantoriu, Andreea Petraș, Iulica‑Maria Ursu, Sebastian Alexandru Tașcă, Nicolae Răzvan Stoian, Sergiu Anfimov, Antonel Avăcăriței, Denisa Cristina Ailincăi and Maria‑Antonia Iancu, and the mixed double scull (BMix2x) pair of David Costel Chitic and Stejara Olariu. The men's double scull (BM2-) duo of Patrick Francisc Sebestyen and Eduard Angel Moldovan took bronze, finishing behind Greece and Australia.

Overall, Romania placed seventh in the medal table, confirming the depth of its U23 programme and raising expectations ahead of upcoming senior European championships.