In Varese, Italy, where the main events of the European Rowing Championships took place, the Ukrainian national team is celebrating a breakthrough. 36-year-old Ihor Khmara won the bronze medal in the men's lightweight single sculls final. This award became the first for the Ukrainian team at the 2026 continental championship.
Personal Record and Tactical Victory
The race over the two-kilometer distance turned into a tense struggle. At the start, Khmara was slightly behind the Austrian Konrad Goltsch, however, the Ukrainian athlete conserved his energy for the decisive stage. In the second half of the distance, he made a powerful surge, broke away from his pursuer, and confidently secured third place.
Khmara's result was 6:56.80 minutes. This time became his personal international record. The race was won by the Greek Petros Gaidatzis with a result of 6:50.92, while the "silver" went to the German Fabio Kress (6:54.63).
Success After Changing Discipline
For Ihor Khmara, this medal holds special significance. It is his first award at the European Championships. The current season was his debut after switching from the coxless pair, where he previously won "bronze" at the 2022 World Championships, to competing in the single sculls. The transition to the new format was successful, confirming the athlete's high level of preparation.
Results of the Team's Performance
At the continental championship in Italy, Ukraine is represented by 35 athletes in seven crews. Khmara's bronze became the third medal for the Ukrainian team in the current international season. Earlier, Ihor Khmara won "gold" at the World Cup stage in Plovdiv, and the men's coxless four received a bronze award there.
