Sprint canoeist Yuriy Cheban, 30, has won Ukraine another gold medal at the Rio Summer Olympics in Brazil.
Cheban came first in the men’s canoe sprint over 200 meters on Aug. 18, finishing in 39.279 seconds, to bring Ukraine its second gold medal on the 12th day of the Rio games.
A mix-up in qualification rules meant London 2012 Olympic champion Cheban initially missed out on a place in Aug. 18 final, but he was subsequently reinstated, replacing Czech paddler Martin Fuksa.
Valentin Demyanenko of Azerbaijan won silver, while Brazilian Isaquias Queiroz dos Santos took bronze.
The victory meant Cheban retains the title of Olympic champion in this event, which he gained four years ago during the 2012 Olympics in London.
Ukraine so far has won two gold medals, four silvers and two bronzes. Cheban’s victory pushed Ukraine nine places up the official Olympic medal ranking, from 32nd to 21st.
Kyiv Post staff writer Denys
Krasnikov can be reached at [email protected].
