Oleksii Koliadych wins third C1 200m world title in Poznań in 40.95 seconds

Sprint final on Lake Malta

Poland captured its first medal of the 2026 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznań on Friday, 28 August. Competing at the Malta regatta course, 28-year-old Oleksii Koliadych finished first in the non-Olympic men's C1 200-metre event. Koliadych clocked a winning time of 40.95 seconds, securing the gold medal by a margin of 0.10 seconds. Artur Guliev of Uzbekistan placed second with a time of 41.05 seconds, while Andrei Zholabau of Belarus, competing under a neutral flag, earned bronze in 41.15 seconds. Polish competitors took part in four finals on Friday, but Koliadych delivered the only podium finish of the opening day for the hosts. The competition marked the return of world championship regattas to Poland after a 16-year absence.

Television blackout during decisive sprint

Supporters at the Lake Malta venue witnessed the race, but viewers watching on television across Poland missed the live finish. Broadcaster Polsat Sport cut to a scheduled commercial break immediately before the start of the C1 200-metre final, resuming coverage only after Koliadych had crossed the line. The transmission cutoff generated criticism from sports commentators and fans on social media. Commentator Łukasz Gagaska noted on X that Koliadych secured Poland's first gold of the regatta in an event where men traditionally race 1,000 metres at the Olympics, while fans were denied the opportunity to view the actual contest. Other accounts on X similarly criticized the network for prioritising advertising over a world championship final.

Ukrainian background and career record

The triumph in Poznań gave Koliadych his third world championship gold medal in the C1 200 metres, following previous world titles won in 2022 and 2024. A competitor for the club Admira Gorzów Wielkopolski, Koliadych also holds silver and bronze medals from European championships, as well as a previous world championship bronze. Born in Ukraine, he moved to Poland in 2015 to pursue university studies in Gorzów Wielkopolski, citing cultural familiarity and development opportunities. He studied in Polish and worked temporary jobs before resuming competitive training with Admira Gorzów. After defending his bachelor's degree, he joined the national squad and completed a two-year citizenship process to represent Poland internationally.

After eight years, I can boldly say that coming to Poland was the best decision of my life.

Polish results and weekend finals schedule

Polish paddlers came close to a second medal on Friday in the women's K-4 500-metre final. The Polish crew of Sandra Ostrowska, Dominika Putto, Katarzyna Kościółek, and AZS AWF Gorzów athlete Julia Olszewska finished in fourth place. China claimed victory in the K-4 race, finishing ahead of silver medalists Spain and bronze medalists Germany. Action at the Poznań regatta continues across the weekend. On Sunday, 30 August, AZS AWF Gorzów paddlers Anna Puławska and Martyna Klatt will contest the women's K-2 500-metre final at 11:01, with television coverage scheduled on Polsat Sport.