Lord of the Dance
President leads tributes as Sanita Puspure secures second gold for Ireland at Rowing Championships
Sport

President leads tributes as Sanita Puspure secures second gold for Ireland at Rowing Championships

PRESIDENT of Ireland Michael D Higgins has led the praise of Sanita Puspure after she took gold at the World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria this morning.

Her success in the women’s single sculls in Plovdiv follows yesterday’s gold for the O’Donovan brothers in the men’s lightweight double sculls.

Puspure finished over five seconds and four lengths ahead of reigning world champion Jeannine Gmelin of Switzerland.

“This was always the goal, all I wanted was the gold and it’s finally happened,” she said following her victory.

Fuleled by the disappointment of just missing out on a medal in 2017 and 2014, Puspure led for the entire race in Plovdiv.

Gmelin tried to close the gap at the 1,100m and 1,500m metre marks, but every time she challenged, Puspure found another gear.

She finished with a time of 07:20.120, cheered across the finish by her family.

President Higgins led the tributes to Cork-based Puspure, who has represented Ireland since 2010 after moving from Latvia.

“May I congratulate Sanita Puspure on her fantastic achievement in the women’s single sculls final, winning gold at the World Rowing Championships,” he said.

“Having overcome many disappointments, her success is very welcome, and enormously deserved. Beir bua agus beannacht.”