A three-stage Dragon Boat qualification series has been launched in Hungary, offering university teams the opportunity to secure their place on the global stage.
Sukoro in Hungary is preparing to host the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Championships Canoe Sports from August 17 to 20.
The initiative was announced at a press conference hosted by Tokaj-Hegyalja University and will take place across three venues in Hungary, beginning in Saraospatak on May 7, followed by Szeged in June, and concluding in Szolnok on July 10.
Across all competitions, the two best university teams overall will qualify for the University Kayak-Canoe World Cup qualifying race to be held in Sukoro between August 17 to 20.
The event will be hosted by the Katalin Kovacs National Kayak-Canoe Academy, where the Dragon Boat competition will serve as a qualification event, underlining Hungary’s strong tradition and continued investment in paddle sport.
Dragon Boat races will be contested over 200 metres with crews of 10 paddlers, with participation open to active students as well as recent graduates from 2025 and 2026.
Organisers emphasised that Dragon Boat racing combines performance, teamwork, and accessibility, making it an ideal entry point into paddle sport.
Through collaboration between universities and regional training centres, the qualification series is expected to support grassroots development and encourage broader engagement with canoe sport across the country.
At the press conference, Eszter Nagy-Rasztotzky, head coach of the SUP and leisure branch of the Hungarian Kayak-Canoe Association, emphasised that the association pays special attention to the competition opportunities of young people and university athletes.
“The joint work of the youth bases operating in the northeastern Hungarian region provides an important base for the development of the sport,” said Krisztián Bardóczi, manager of the Kökény Roland Regional Academy.
“University sports play a key role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and community building,” said Szabolcs Kéri, Rector of Tokaj-Hegyalja University.
“The Dragon Boat race takes on a special significance as it also serves as a qualifier for the World Championships, while the Bodrog River’s conditions provide an ideal environment for water sport.
Emília Lívják, head of the university's Department of Educational Sciences, added: “The institution has long been committed to promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle and has been organizing dragon boat races on the Bodrog for nine years.
“Both domestic and foreign university teams are expected for the race in Sárospatak.”
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