Double Silver Medals for Swedish Canoeists at European Championships

Swedish canoeists Martin Nathell and Melina Andersson win silver medals at the European Championships.

Key Points

  • • Martin Nathell won silver in K1 1,000 meters, finishing just behind gold medalist Fernando Pimenta.
  • • Melina Andersson followed with a silver, finishing comfortably ahead of third place.
  • • Both athletes debuted at the Olympics last summer, with Nathell finishing seventh and Andersson twelfth.
  • • This marks Nathell's first individual senior medal in his canoeing career.

In a remarkable display of talent and determination, Swedish canoeists Martin Nathell and Melina Andersson both clinched silver medals in the K1 1,000 meters event at the 2025 European Canoeing Championships, held in Racice, Czech Republic, on June 21. This achievement marks a significant milestone for both athletes, with Nathell, 30, earning his first individual senior medal.

Nathell showcased exceptional skill, finishing the race just one second behind gold medalist Fernando Pimenta from Portugal. His impressive time was enough to secure second place, edging out the bronze medalist Bálint Kopasz of Hungary, who was also a strong contender at the last Olympics. Reflecting on his performance, Nathell expressed his joy, stating, "Helt otroligt att kunna prestera ett sånt här lopp. Det är många timmar som ligger bakom det. Det är något jag kämpat för otroligt länge," which translates to, "It's incredible to perform like this. There are many hours behind it. It's something I've fought for a long time."

Shortly after Nathell's victory, Melina Andersson, 25, followed suit in the same event, securing her silver medal with a stable performance that placed her approximately four seconds behind the gold medalist, Zsoka Csikos from Hungary. Her accomplishment is noteworthy as she finished over a second ahead of her nearest competitor, Laura Pedruelo from Spain, who took the bronze.

Both athletes have backgrounds that further illustrate their capabilities; they made their Olympic debuts the previous summer in Paris. In those Olympic events, Nathell finished seventh in the K1 1,000 meters, while Andersson finished twelfth in the K1 500 meters. Their strong performances at the European Championships symbolize not only personal triumphs but also an important chapter in Swedish canoeing, as both athletes continue to build on their international careers.