The Romanian women’s quadruple sculls team has successfully qualified for the finals at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, finishing second in their semifinal. Shortly after, their male counterparts followed suit, securing third place in the first semifinal of the men’s event.
Beginning with the semifinals, the championships are being broadcast live by TVR Sport.
UPDATE 16:45: Men’s Quadruple Sculls Team Progresses to World Final
After the women’s team, the men’s team, featuring Cosmin Pleșescu, Leontin Nuțescu, Andrei Vatamaniuc, and Ciprian Tudosă, competed in the first semifinal. The Romanian team led at the first marker, reaching 500 meters ahead of the pack, and held second place midway through the race. Ultimately, they secured a place in the finals, finishing third, four and a quarter seconds behind the American team, who took first place.
UPDATE 16:38: Women’s Quadruple Sculls Qualifies for Final
The first Romanian team to compete on the fourth day of the World Championships was the women’s quadruple sculls, which qualified for the finals. Competing in lane 3, Ancuța Bodnar, Maria Lehaci, Magdalena Rusu, and Geanina Juncanariu initially placed third at both the 500-meter mark and the halfway point, as the reigning world champions from the USA quickly distanced themselves after the start.
However, the Romanian team adjusted their rowing technique and surged into second place, crossing the finish line to secure their spot in the final comfortably. The first semifinal saw Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany also advance to the finals.
The women had previously advanced directly to the semifinals held on August 25, finishing second in their heat behind Australia. Maria Lehaci, one of the athletes who won a silver medal in the event last year in Shanghai alongside Ancuța Bodnar, Adriana Adam, and Amalia Chelaru, expressed her joy: “We are happy to qualify; it was a tough race. I must say this was the first race we rowed together this year; we hadn’t competed in this boat in 2026.”
INITIAL REPORT: The fourth day of competition at the World Championships taking place in Amsterdam on the Bosbaan canal features four Romanian crews. These teams will compete in four events of quadruple sculls and sweep, both female and male.
First to compete are the women’s quadruple sculls, a lineup that has only reunited for this event, although they have previously rowed together. The experienced athletes, Ancuța Bodnar, Maria Lehaci, Magdalena Rusu, and Geanina Juncanariu, are determined to qualify for the finals.
Next is the men’s quadruple sculls team, consisting of Cosmin Pleșescu, Leontin Nuțescu, Andrei Vatamaniuc, and Ciprian Tudosă, with Tudosă being the most experienced member, known for his wealth of medals and leadership over his younger teammates.
The women’s sweep team will follow, featuring Roxana Anghel, Gabriela Tivodariu, Andrada Moroșanu, and Iulia Bălăucă, who have advanced directly to the semifinals in this formation. Notably, Roxana, who has achieved significant results in the sculls events over the last four years, joins this lineup.
The final crew will be the men’s sweep team led by veteran Ioan Prundeanu, accompanied by Mihăiță Țigănescu, Alexandru Gherasim, and Florin Horodișteanu, who are also seeking to progress to the finals.
16:30 » 4 sculls (f) » Ancuța Bodnar, Maria Lehaci, Magdalena Rusu, Geanina Juncanariu – semifinal 2
16:35 » 4 sculls (m) » Cosmin Pleșescu, Leontin Nuțescu, Andrei Vatamaniuc, Ciprian Tudosă – semifinal 2
16:52 » 4 sweep (f) » Roxana Anghel, Gabriela Tivodariu, Andrada Moroșanu, Iulia Bălăucă – semifinal 2
17:02 » 4 sweep (m) » Mihăiță Țigănescu, Alexandru Gherasim, Florin Horodișteanu, Ioan Prundeanu – semifinal 2
Currently, Romania has guaranteed spots in the finals for the double sculls events, both female and male, following Wednesday’s semifinals on August 26 for Adriana Adam and Simona Radiș, as well as Ștefan Berariu and Florin Lehaci.
