Rowing regatta ends in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
Winners of the traditional international regatta in rowing and canoeing were selected in Azerbaijan.
The three-day "President's Cup 2014" was held in the Olympic sports training center "Kur" in Mingachevir on April 18-20.
Athletes from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey participated in the cup.
The Azerbaijan's Rowing Federation reports that athletes representing Azerbaijan won most of the rallies.
The winner of rowing was Boris Yotov, 18, who finished 7 seconds ahead of Alexander Alexandrov, the participant of Olympic Games 2012. Yotov will represent Azerbaijan at the Youth Summer Olympic Games in 2014.
The strongest athlete among the canoeists was Sergey Bezugly who won the 200 meters distance in 41.22 seconds.
He also won the bronze medal in 500 meters, while the gold went to Alexey Kupin.
Taras Matviychuk won the 1,000 meters distance in 4 minutes and 15.33 seconds. Canoer Alexander Pichugin came out first in the 500 meters distance, while Tamerlan Mustafayev was the third. However, Mustafayev arrived first at the 200 meters race.
Organized jointly by Azerbaijan's National Rowing Federation and the Youth and Sports Ministry, the "President's Cup" has been held annually since March 2008.
Based on the results of the regatta, the list of national teams in all three sports will be determined.
Rowing developed quickly in Azerbaijan with the establishment of the National Rowing Federation (AMAF) in December 2006.
Being a member of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the AMAF participates in various international competitions and European and world championships at present.