Romania Shines at 2025 European Rowing Championships with Seven Medals

Romania delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 European Rowing Championships, held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, clinching a total of seven medals: three gold, two silver, and two bronze. This remarkable achievement reaffirms Romania’s reputation as a powerhouse in European rowing, offering a promising outlook for the upcoming international competitions.

Golden Triumphs and Record-Breaking Performance

Romania’s gold medal campaign was spearheaded by the women’s pair of Simona Radiș and Magda Rusu. In their first European outing together, the duo not only claimed the top podium spot but also set a new European record with a time of 6:49.18. Their dominant performance showcased the depth of talent in Romanian women’s rowing.

Shortly after, the men’s pair of Florin Arteni and Florin Lehaci secured another gold for Romania, finishing ahead of strong crews from Italy and Spain. Their victory underscored Romania’s strength in sweep rowing disciplines.

The third gold medal came from the men’s four, with Ciprian Tudosă, Andrei Mândrilă, Sergiu Bejan, and Ștefan Berariu leading their race from start to finish. Their commanding performance left no doubt about Romania’s prowess in team events.

Silver Medals: Narrow Margins and Strong Finishes

Romania’s two silver medals were also hard-fought. Florin Enache and Andrei Cornea, both Olympic champions, finished second in the men’s double sculls after a tight race. Meanwhile, the women’s four—Amalia Bereș, Adriana Adam, Maria Lehaci, and Ancuța Bodnar—were overtaken by the Netherlands in the final 200 meters, settling for silver after a dramatic sprint to the line.

Historic Bronze and Consistent Podium Presence

A historic moment came on the final day when Mihai Chiruță won bronze in the men’s single sculls, marking Romania’s first-ever medal in this event at a major international regatta. His achievement was celebrated as a significant breakthrough for Romanian men’s sculling.

The women’s double sculls team, Mariana Dumitru and Andrada Moroșanu, also contributed to the medal tally with a well-earned bronze, ensuring Romania reached the podium in all six finals they contested on Saturday, May 31.

Romania’s impressive medal haul in Plovdiv highlights the country’s sustained investment in rowing and the effectiveness of its athlete development programs. With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, these results provide a confidence boost and set high expectations for the national team.