2024 International Festival in Spain
Dragon Boat “Dnestr” at the 5th International Dragon Boat Festival in Barcelona: A Triumph of Spirit and Determination
From May 18–20, 2024, the Olympic Canal of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, became a stage for one of the most prestigious dragon boat events in the world—the 5th International Dragon Boat Festival. With over 900 participants from more than 15 countries, including Canada, Brazil, the USA, Qatar, Japan, and Great Britain, the festival showcased the unifying power of sports. Among the competitors, the Tiraspol team «Dragon Dnestr» stood out as the sole representative from the post-Soviet space, making their mark with grit, teamwork, and a powerful story of determination.
A Remarkable Journey
The Tiraspol women’s team, “Dragon Dnestr,” consisting of 14 non-professional athletes, included doctors, teachers, artists, and sports school coaches. Competing in the 40–60 age group across the “Women’s Team,” “Mixed,” and “Open” categories, the team demonstrated incredible perseverance. Notably, the women’s category was the largest of the festival, with 27 crews from 40 clubs around the globe racing in the 200-meter event.
Despite having trained for just over a month, the women’s team achieved an outstanding 7th place finish, a result that surpassed their own expectations. This success was made possible by the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the “Peace and Health through Women’s Sports” project.
«Unforgettable emotions from participating in the Festival in Spain will be remembered for a long time! This is a great event! We met participants from different countries! Lots of positive emotions!» shared Yulia, 47, a member of the team.
«I couldn’t imagine that I could do this! Our team was at its best! Even though we didn’t win medals, for me, it was a victory over myself!» said Natalia, 48.
«I really liked the festival! At such races, you can see many teams from different countries, learn from their rowing techniques, and improve. Our team is still very young, but we have so much to work on to improve!» added Tatyana, 52.
Inspiring a Community
The women’s team was formed in February 2024 as part of Dragon Boat “Dnestr,” a club founded in 2022 to promote active lifestyles and cross-community collaboration. The team, composed entirely of women aged 40 to 65, exemplifies the global trend of encouraging active longevity.
Their participation at the festival brought visibility to their mission, inspiring over 100 women to express interest in joining the club.
A Proud Legacy
The team’s coach, Anatoly Kovalsky, a master of sports of international class and silver medalist of the European Championship, praised the team’s efforts:
«The women’s team from Tiraspol was remembered by everyone at the festival—not just for their bright, colorful uniforms, but for their spirit. They raced in six events in one day, missing the finals by less than a second. For a team that has been training for just over a month, this result is outstanding.»
For Kovalsky, the festival held special significance, as he had competed on the same Olympic Canal during international rowing competitions in 1993.
A Future Full of Promise
The Dragon Boat “Dnestr” team has proven that dragon boat rowing is more than just a sport—it’s a tool for empowerment, unity, and personal growth. Their participation in Barcelona, following their international debut at the European Dragon Boat Rowing Cup in Ravenna, Italy, in 2023, has paved the way for future success. With invitations to festivals in Sicily, Canada, and the World Championships in Ravenna, the team is set to continue breaking barriers.
Through their journey, the Dragon Boat “Dnestr” team exemplifies the power of sports to bring communities together, inspire personal victories, and create lasting connections. The festival was not just a competition—it was a celebration of resilience, determination, and the unyielding spirit of women who prove that it’s never too late to paddle toward greatness.
https://innovation.md/news/3087-5-j-mezhdunarodnyj-festival-po-dragonbotu.html
Contacts
- 95th Moldavian Division Street, Tiraspol, Moldova 3300
- pmr.rowing@gmail.com
- +373 778 829 29
