At The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, the mixed squad of Ukraine’s national Dragon Boat team delivered one of the most stirring performances of the entire event—four medals, a surge of national pride, and a journey that Head Coach Kateryna Kovalenko describes in one word: “the best.”
The team’s medal haul—two golds, one silver, and one bronze—cemented their place among the standout heroes of these Games:
- Gold – 10-seater Mixed 2000m
- Gold – Open 8-seater Mixed 500m
- Silver – 10-seater Mixed 500m
- Bronze – 10-seater Mixed 200m
For Kovalenko, the defining moment of Chengdu came before the team ever dipped their paddles into the water.
“The most emotional moment was actually the confirmation of our team's participation,” she recalls. In a season marked by challenges, simply earning their place on the start line of The World Games—the pinnacle for this non-Olympic Canoe discipline —felt like a triumph in itself.
“We proved at home that we were worthy of representing our country,” she says. That validation ignited a fire that carried through every heat, semifinal, and final.
Ukraine’s first medal
The breakthrough arrived on the second day of competition, when Ukraine captured its first medal in Chengdu. “That was the ‘this is it’ moment,” Kovalenko explains. “Once we won one medal for Ukraine, we didn’t stop.”
From that point on, the team surged forward with confidence and relentless determination, powering their way through the field to claim podium finishes across all mixed events.
Ukraine’s rise in dragon boat is not sudden—it’s the result of more than 20 years of steady growth. Since the founding of the Ukrainian Dragon Boat Federation in 2004, the sport has fostered close ties with the International Canoe Federation. By 2019, the federation was already hosting ICF events in Kyiv and nurturing a generation of athletes now shining on the world stage.
“Our athletes always participate in ICF events,” Kovalenko notes, highlighting the long-term investment that has built today’s champions.
Two finals without medals
Despite their success, the team’s path was not without pressure. “The two medal-less finals were the most stressful thing for us,” she admits. Entering the Games with high expectations, the athletes were determined to convert every opportunity.
The World Games - A stage like no other
Competing at The World Games carries a unique weight. “The responsibility is the highest—to the country, to the fans, to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and to ourselves.”
Even amid the global festival atmosphere, the Ukrainian delegation held tightly together. “We mostly crossed paths with athletes from Ukraine, and we traditionally support and cheer for each other,” Kovalenko adds.
Life after Chengdu: Becoming national role models
Returning home with four medals, the team was met not only with applause but with expanded support. Their achievements elevated them into the elite ranks of Ukrainian sport, inspiring young paddlers who now dream of following in their wake.
“Competition has increased,” says Kovalenko. “Everyone wants to be among the best athletes in the country and the world.”
The road to the next edition of The World Games
Even as they celebrate, preparation for the future is already underway. Ukraine has begun early selections to form the next team, backed by a deep pool of rising talent. “We see great potential among young athletes,” Kovalenko says confidently. The spirit of Chengdu lives on—shaping the next chapter of Ukrainian dragon boat excellence.
When asked to summarize the entire TWG experience, Kovalenko doesn’t hesitate: “The best.”