Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan’s rowing team prepares for a serious challenge this May 29 to 31, as it will represent the country at the European Championships in Poznan - Poland.

One of the athletes partaking in the championship is Aleksandr Aleksandrov, 25, the National Rowing Federation reported. He will represent the country in the single men boat race (M1X) 2,000 meters competition among 20 other sportsmen, including Czech World Champion Ondrej Synek, Lithuanian European Champion Mindaugas Griskonis and Norwegian Olympic champion Olaf Tufte.

Aleksandr started the year competing in the Presidential Cup test rowing competition in academic, kayaking and canoeing categories which was held in the country’s Mingachevir region this April. There the young sportsman saw his first victory.

Talking about his goal, Aleksandr spoke of his ambition to succeed at the World Championships to be held this year in France on August 30-September 6. “We want to successfully participate in the competition and win a license for the 2016 Rio-de-Janeiro Summer Olympic Games to be held in Brazil” he said.

Answering a question on whether or not his fans could see him among the winners, Aleksandr explained that the competition is very tough. “It’s hard to say for sure that we will be among the winners at the World Championships. Usually some six-seven boats reach the finish within seconds of each other. But I will not be afraid and I will do all everything to be among the winners,” the rower said.

Aleksandr will not compete at the European Games, which will be held in Baku on June 12-28, 2015, as academic rowing is not included in the Games program.

He expressed his regret on this occasion. “It would have been better to include this discipline in the Baku 2015 program, especially since we hold this tournament at home. As I see it, the preparation for the Games is very serious. I think everything will be fine. I mean both the organization and level of the tournament.”

Three more national rowers will race in Poznan. Javid Afandiyev will compete in the single men boat race (LM1X) 2,000 meters together with 17 rivals.

Duo silver medalist of Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Boris Yotov and Igor Luchich will represent the country in the double men boat race (M2X) 2,000 meters competition. Representatives of 21 countries will compete in the same race.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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