Isaquias Queiroz didn’t give space to zebra in the C1 1.000m, proof of speed canoeing. Favorite, he showed why he is considered the best in the sport and won the gold medal this Friday (6), in Tokyo. This was the achievement that was missing in the victorious résumé of the athlete who has everything to become the Brazilian with the most medals in the next Olympics, in Paris, 2024 —Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt add up to five and lead the ranking.
He came in first place with a time of 4:04.408. The silver medal went to the Chinese Hao Liu with 4:05,724. The bronze, finally, fell to the Moldovan Serghei Tarnovschi, with 4:06.069.
This is Brazil’s fifth gold medal in Tokyo. Before Italo Ferreira, in surfing, Rebeca Andrade, in gymnastics, Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, in sailing, and Ana Marcela, in aquatic marathon, had already conquered the top of the podium.
Isaquias was in fourth place in the first meters, but has already jumped to third position to close the initial 250m. In the second round, the Brazilian took the vice-leadership, consolidating in the race. From the middle of the race, the Brazilian shot appearing in the lead in the 750m. The advantage only increased, guaranteeing more than deserved gold.
After finishing fourth in the C2 1000m and consequently missing the chance to get two medals in Tokyo, Isaquias entered the water bitten. He wanted to prove that he was the best in the world at canoeing and that no one would take his dreamed of gold.
In the round of 16 he raced with ease and, when he saw himself minimally threatened, he accelerated and won with clearances, going straight into the semifinals. This Friday (6), new tour. Without giving any chance to his opponents, he led the semifinal and sent a message to his opponents.
Frustration in pairs
Isaac has a binary head when it comes to sports results. There is winning a medal and not winning a medal. That’s why fourth place tasted like last for him, who knew he wasn’t favorite to gold in the doubles event, but he was sure he’d sort things out in the water, as he always did.
Devastated by the previous result, Isaquias left the channel crying a lot on Tuesday. But by the next day, he was already refreshed. In the meantime, he followed, through social networks, the affection of the fans.
“There were more than 40,000 comments [no Instagram]. Support message, ‘warrior’, no hate. All supportive. This gave more cheer. But when I got to the room I realized that the room wasn’t bad. It’s not because Jacky is young, our opponent was better than us. We did what we could. We were fourth and I realized it wasn’t bad, but I wanted the medal.”
The dreamed of gold medal took some time, had a bit of drama with the suffering in doubles, but finally it rested in the place that a country had been waiting for: Isaquias’ chest.
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