Dara Alizadeh Finishes Third In Repechage
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda rower Dara Alizadeh said he “gave everything” in the men’s singles sculls repechage race at the Varies-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium at the Paris Games today [July 28].
Alizadeh made a blistering start, leading for the first half of the race, and was in the top two qualifying positions with 200 metres remaining before being overtaken to finish third in 7min 17.05sec.
It means he narrowly misses out on advancing to the quarter-final and will race in the E/F semi-final tomorrow.
Algeria’s Sid Ali Boudina won the race in 7:10.23, with Hong Kong’s Chiu Hin-chun second in 7:12.94.
Heading into the final 200 metres, Alizadeh was a quarter of a length in front of Hin-chun, draining every ounce of energy to keep the third-place rower at bay before being overtaken as the finish line approached.
Alizadeh said he was proud of his lung-busting display but hoped for a different with outcome.
“I did everything in terms of what I wanted to execute,” Alizadeh told Bernews.
“However, the execution and the result are two different things.
“Generally, when I do the first, I get the second. I knew it would be a challenge, and everything I did today was the best I could have done.
“Going into the last 500 metres, I felt good, on the edge, as you will be, and had a solid margin and thought it would be enough.
“I must give credit to the Hong Kong rower. It was the first time we’d gone head-to-head, and he had the jets in the last 200.
“That’s the way it goes – this is the Olympics. There’s nothing more I could have done. I squeezed out everything and that’s all you can ask for.”
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You are a winner in my eyes Dara you deserve all the praise for the guts shown in that heat. You gave your best and I hope this comforts you in some way.
Your attitude to your performance and that of your competitors is a testament of your strength and commitment to your sport.
Congratulations and all the best in the semi finals. You are a champion
Well done in giving it your all!
Bermuda needs more future Olympians come on
Go Dara!