Cuban Canoist Cirilo Claims Gold at U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships

Cuban athlete Yarisleidis Cirilo secured the gold medal today in the women's C-1 200m final at the U23 and Junior Canoe Sprint World Championships in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal.

According to the International Canoe Federation's official results, Cirilo, a bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics and two-time world champion in this event, reaffirmed her dominance with a winning time of 47.25 seconds.

Spain's Victoria Yarchevska claimed silver (48.08), while Russia's Ekaterina Shiliaphikova, competing under the International Federation flag due to her country's suspension, took bronze (48.47).

The 23-year-old from Guantánamo province had advanced to the finals as the top qualifier from her preliminary heat, clocking 45.88 seconds. Italy's Olympia Della (47.84) and Canada's Elizabeth Desrosiers (48.41) trailed behind in that race.

Cirilo will remain in Portugal with her coach Nelson Perales and physiotherapist Lázaro Pérez Sánchez for three additional weeks of training before competing at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Italy, where she's expected to contend for another podium finish.

Born May 10, 2002, the Cuban paddler has established herself as one of the sport's rising stars, with her latest victory adding to Cuba's strong tradition in canoe sprint events.