Polish kayakers Karolina Naja and Anna Puławska advanced to the Olympic semifinals by securing second place in their heat. Martyna Klatt and Helena Wiśniewska also secured a semifinal spot by winning their qualifying race.
Dramatic Qualifying Heats
Karolina Naja and Anna Puławska, Olympic silver medalists from Tokyo, confirmed their prowess by finishing second in the 500m heats. The Polish duo battled to the end for a direct spot in the semifinals, edging out the Hungarian team by just 0.26 seconds. The winners of this race were the Germans, Paulina Paszek and Jule Marie Hake. Naja and Puławska are considered among the favorites in this event, raising hopes for another success at this year’s Olympics.
Polish Dominance in the Second Heat
The second Polish pair, Martyna Klatt and Helena Wiśniewska, also secured a spot in the semifinals by triumphing in their qualifying race. The Poles beat the Swedish team by a mere 0.02 seconds, showcasing the intense competition. The Canadians finished in third place but could not match the pace of the Polish athletes. With these victories, both Polish pairs will now compete for podium positions in the next stages of the competition.