As the rowing events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get underway, all eyes are on the fierce competition in the single sculls categories.
Norwegian rower Birgit Skarstein, the reigning Paralympic champion, is the standout favorite in the PR1 women’s single sculls. Skarstein has been a dominant force in the sport, having claimed victory at every World Championship she has participated in over the last decade. Her exceptional performance and consistent success make her the athlete to beat.
However, Israel’s Moran Samuel, who has outperformed Skarstein in two of the season’s races, could present a formidable challenge. Samuel’s recent successes might give her a psychological advantage as she aims to improve upon her silver medal from the Tokyo Games. The competition is expected to be intense as Samuel strives to surpass Skarstein’s impressive track record.
In the PR1 men’s single sculls, the spotlight is on Ukraine’s Roman Polianskyi, who enters the Games as the reigning Paralympic champion. Polianskyi’s previous performances have established him as a leading contender. Yet, Great Britain’s Benjamin Pritchard and Italy’s Giacomo Perini are ready to push the limits and offer stiff competition. Both athletes have shown strong performances leading up to the Games and are poised to challenge Polianskyi’s dominance.
The rowing events promise thrilling races as these elite athletes compete for gold. With seasoned champions and rising stars in the mix, the single sculls events are set to deliver exciting and unpredictable outcomes.