There is plenty of fuel left in Fernando Pimenta’s tank as he launches his bid for another Olympic Games.
Some naysayers suggested that he was nearing the end of his career, but Pimenta is proving that he is still at the very top of his game.
The 36-year-old two-time Olympic medallist kicked off his season in style with two gold medals at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged.
After powering to men’s kayak single 5000m gold on Sunday, Pimenta put his finger over his lips – a clear message to those who had written him off.
Click here for live schedule and results from Szeged
“We have some haters and sometimes we have to ask for silence from the haters to be calm,” said Pimenta.
“I remember last season here when I was ninth in the 1000m and second in the 5000m.
“At the end of the World Cup, I was suffering a lot because I saw some bad words about me saying ‘Pimenta is old and should start to think about finishing his career’.
“But I want to fight a little bit more and give my best show to the canoeing family and to all my friends and supporters.
“I hope to give my best over the next two years and give a great show for people to support me. I just want to give my best.”
Fuelled by those negative comments, Pimenta arrived in Szeged with a point to prove – and he delivered it in emphatic style.
Pimenta executed his race plan to perfection to get the better of Denmark’s Mads Brandt Pedersen to win men’s K1 5000m gold.
“I am really happy because at the start of the season some people said it was impossible to beat Mads in the 5000m,” said Pimenta.
“I just said to them ‘Give me time and some chance’.
“For sure, Mads is the one of the strongest guys in the 5000m as he makes every portage perfectly and I need to fight with him on the water to have a chance.
“I did a really good job so I’m excited.”
Szeged also served as the host of the first World Cup to count towards the Olympic Ranking for LA28 qualification, giving athletes even more motivation to perform.
Pimenta, who won silver at London 2012 and bronze at Tokyo 2020 but missed out on a podium place at Paris 2024, made a statement with his performance in Szeged.
The Portuguese paddler produced a blistering start to the men’s K1 1000m final before withstanding a late charge from Hungary’s Balint Kopasz.
“We have started to collect points for the Olympics, and this is my mission to qualify Portugal in K1 in LA28,” said Pimenta.
“It’s a hard battle but I think it’s possible because in the past 10 years I am one of the most consistent athletes.
“It was a very fast K1, close to 3:21.00. This is too fast for the start of the season, but this is what the canoeing world wants. They want these photo finishes.”
Preparations for the new season have been disrupted by bad weather in Portugal over the winter period, but it did not stop Pimenta from arriving in peak condition for the opening World Cup of the year.
“I love to compete,” said Pimenta.
“Pre-season is the hard moment and now it is most important to enjoy.
“Right now, I just want to quality Portugal in the K1 for the Olympic Games because we need to collect points and we will need to work hard over the next two seasons.
“It’s so good to get two golds in the same World Cup. Pimenta is back.”
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cups can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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