Manavgat, Antalya, Türkiye | 6–9 November 2025
The 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Antalya marked a milestone for coastal rowing, drawing over 50 nations—a record-breaking participation that underscores the sport’s rapid rise ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. Over four days, athletes battled challenging Mediterranean surf in ten boat classes, including the inaugural Inclusion Mixed Double Sculls event, reinforcing rowing’s commitment to universality and accessibility.
Spotlight on Development Programme Nations
The Finals were not only a stage for elite competition but also a testament to the success of the World Rowing Development Programme, which empowers emerging rowing nations through technical support, training camps, and pathways to major events. This year, 12 Development Programme countries—American Samoa (ASA), Cyprus (CYP), El Salvador (ESA), Georgia (GEO), Morocco (MAR), Paraguay (PAR), Sri Lanka (SRI), Thailand (THA), Tunisia (TUN), Vanuatu (VAN), Greece (GRE), and Finland (FIN)—featured prominently.
Key Highlights by Nation
American Samoa (ASA), El Salvador (ESA), and Thailand (THA) made their debut in the Beach Sprint Finals, fielding youth crews to gain invaluable international experience.
Georgia’s Lasha Khizanishvili competed in the CM1x, marking his first appearance at a Beach Sprint World Championship.
Sri Lanka’s Denver Deheragoda participated in his first World Championship in the CJM1x category.
Morocco was represented by Olympian Majdouline El Allaoui and Abderrahmane El Alej, who competed in both the CW1x / CM1x and CMix2x events.
Paraguay travelled with a team of four athletes, featuring both junior and senior rowers competing in Olympic and Youth Olympic events, including Solos and Mixed Doubles.
Vanuatu’s Benjamin Pechan entered the Men’s Solo event, continuing the nation’s growing presence in international rowing.
Tunisia’s Olympian and 2025 Shanghai LW1x Silver Medallist Khadija Krimi teamed up with Mohamed Rayen Hafsa in the CMix2x event.
Finland’s Ilona Mäkelä made her debut at the World Championships, alongside Greek youth rowers Styliani Polychronidou and Nikolaos Petalidis, who also marked their first appearances.
Special acknowledgment to World Rowing Development Coaches Leticia Muziol and Vincent Tassery for their dedicated on-site support, and to the Turkish Organising Committee for their generous solidarity and assistance to our group.
