66-year-old Polish canoe sprint expert Ryszard Hoppe will leave his Portuguese national canoe sprint team coach position on December 31st, Portuguese Canoe Federation announced. Hoppe assumed the position in 2005 and his successful work results in over 130 international medals of Portuguese canoe sprint athletes. Czech Jaroslav Radon will now join the team to supervise the canoe team.
“With his methods, rigour, demand and determination Ryszard has driven, like no other technician, the growth of this sport in Portugal. He has triggered and helped bring to the top some of the national athletes who are now international kayakers. He will be forever linked to the greatest successes of canoe sprint and sport in Portugal with more than 130 international medals, especially the silver medal of K2 1000 metres at the Olympic Games in London 2012,” Portuguese federation stated.
Five coaches will be in charge of the canoe sprint in the future. Former Czech canoeist Jaroslav Radon, who now worked as a coach in Asia, will be in charge of the canoe team and will work exclusively with canoeists (male and female) at various levels to fulfil the long-term goals of the Portuguese federation.
Hélio Lucas, who takes care of Fernando Pimenta, will connect the best Portuguese kayaker with the women's team, senior and under 23, with the help of Leonel Correia. José Sousa will keep up with the senior and under 23 male kayakers, and will be assisted by Tiago Lourenço who will be in charge also of junior men’s and women’s kayak team.
Photo: Portuguese Canoe Federation
Source: http://www.record.pt/modalidades/canoagem/detalhe/selecao-de-canoagem-tera-cinco-treinadores.html
22.12.2017
