45-year-old Bouzan Sanchez, 45, easily beat 20-year-old Bernardo Pereira in the men’s 10km race in the Canoe Ocean Racenig men’s 10km race at the 3rd Mediterranean Beach Games “Heraklion 2023”

Despite being twice his opponent’s age, Sanchez dominated the Spanish European Champion in the K23 category and won his 16th career medal and his 5th gold after the World
(marathon canoe) in 2010, 2011 and European (water canoe) in
2016 and 2022.

“Age is not the most important”

New Mediterranean champion Bouzan Sanchez said: “It was a tough race with strong athletes. I am happy, I felt fine and I believed I could win. It’s the mind and the body that dominate.”

The Portuguese with a time of 41:45 had great competition from France’s Hector Henot, who was 2 seconds behind him and it was actually the major derby of the race, where the silver and bronze medals were judged.

Portuguese Bernardo Pereira underlined: “Τhe conditions of the race were good. The Spanish athlete got away from the start, so I had a long battle with the Frenchman. I am proud of the race
and for the silver medal. I’m only 20 years old, I have time to learn things and in the future
to beat them.”

Hector Eno who won the bronze medal said: “It’s a big success for me to win the bronze medal because it’s my first bronze medal ever in an international competition of this level. I am very happy. It was a difficult race, it was the first time that I had the chance to compete in this competition.

The kiss of his 2-year-old sister for 16-year-old Diakakis is a badge of honor

Nikos Diakakis finished first among the Greek athletes with a time of 50:41.
The 16-year-old – Veniamin of the whole race – Diakakis was welcomed by
his 2-year-old sister Eleftheria with a warm kiss. “The route was difficult wherever we had a headwind It was an awesome experience for me, the feeling of racing next to
with these athletes is amazing. I was glad to qualify and to be here,” he sais full of enthusiasm.