A dragon boat qualifying series is set to begin for the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Canoe Championships – the organisers announced at their press conference on Thursday in Tokaj-Hegyalja University.
The first race of the three-round qualifying series will take place on 7 May Sárospatak, the second round will take place on 5 June at the Maty-éri Olympic Centre in Szeged, whilst the final round will be held on 10 July in Szolnok.
Experience in international competitions
In all three competitions, the top two university teams will qualify for the qualifying rounds of the World University Canoe and Kayak Championships, to be held in Sukoró from 17 to 20 August. At the press conference, Eszter Nagy-Rasztotzky, head coach of the Hungarian Canoe Federation (MKKSZ) SUP and recreational division, emphasised that the federation pays particular attention to competition opportunities for young people and university athletes, which is why they organise international events for them year after year.
He highlighted that the August World University Championships will be hosted by the Katalin Kovács National Kayak-Canoe Academy, where the dragon boat race will take place as a qualifying event. He added that the aim of the qualifying series is to allow as many university teams as possible to experience the atmosphere of international competitions.
Not just a competitive sport, but a community experience too
Krisztián Bardóczi, manager of the Roland Kökény Regional Academy, emphasised at the press conference that the collaborative efforts of the youth training centres operating in the north-eastern region of Hungary provide an important foundation for the development of the sport. He emphasised that, like kayaking and canoeing, dragon boating is not only a competitive sport but also a communal experience offering a connection with nature, which can serve as an attractive entry point for many young people.
Szabolcs Kéri, Rector of Tokaj-Hegyalja University, said that university sport plays a key role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and community building. He added that the dragon boat race takes on particular significance as it also serves as a qualifier for the world championships, whilst the Bodrog River provides an ideal setting for water sports.
Teams from both Hungary and beyond its borders are welcome
Emília Lívják, head of the university’s Department of Education, emphasised that the institution has long been committed to promoting sport and a health-conscious lifestyle, and has been organising dragon boat races on the River Bodrog for nine years. She highlighted that both domestic and Hungarian university teams from beyond the border are expected to take part in the race in Sárospatak.
Teams of ten may enter the competition; all participants must be currently enrolled students, but those who obtained their degree in 2025 or 2026 are also eligible to take part.
The entry fee is 40,000 forints per team per heat; the race distance is 200 metres. The races will be conducted in accordance with the official dragon boat rules of the Hungarian Canoe Federation, taking into account international competition practice.
