We are continuing the cycle of success stories of the Erasmus+ project ” Sport Possibilities in RestriCtion Periods”” and invite you to get acquainted with the experience of Ignas Navakauskas in professional sports during the pandemic.
Ignas Navakauskas is a kayaker who participated in the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. The most successful performances of Ignas Navakauskas in the international arena were achieved in the 200 m sprint event – Universiade champion (2013, single kayak), European vice-champion (2021, double kayak), third place prize winner of the European Championships (2015 and 2016, single kayak; 2022, double kayak) and vice-champion of the World Cup stage (2023, single kayak). He won the gold medal in the 500 m event at the World Cup stage with a crew of four (S.Maldonis, M.Maldonis, I.Navakauskas and A.Seja) in 2023 – their main goal is to qualify for a the Paris Olympic Games.
Recalling the beginning of the pandemic restrictions, the kayaker said it hindered the preparation phase of the season: “It was the preparation phase. The competition was supposed to start in a few months. When goverment introduced strict requirements, it was banned to do sports indoor in Lithuania, and later also on outdoor sports grounds. For these reasons, I had to train at home. I brought the rowing machine home, built a mini-gym in the garage and worked up a sweat at home.”
Despite intense training at home, the entire 2020 rowing season has been canceled and no competition has taken place. “The preparation itself took place constantly, for some time I had to do sports individually. After some time, the restrictions for professional athletes were eased and we returned to the normal training process”, said Ignas Navakauskas.
After returning to a more normal training process, the kayaker admitted: “I managed to keep my fitness quite good. Because my sport is quite appreciative as we row in a lake where there is no close contact.“
Although the training process was almost back to the normal schedule, the competition was still not organized: “The biggest worry was the unknown situation, but I tried to adapt to the current situation. However, the coach evaluated everything objectively. The saddest thing was to hear when the coach said that there would be no competition and the 2020 season would not take place.”
The season spent without competition was a big challenge for all kayakers. When asked about his inner motivation during these two seasons, Ignas Navakauskas said: “Because I have goals, a great desire to win, motivation never disappeared even during the pandemic.”
“We were already preparing for the 2021 season after being vaccinated. So the preparation already went quite smoothly. Before each competition, we performed Covid tests. And only if results were negatyve organisers allowed me to participate”, said the kayaker, remembering the first competition after a long break. Evaluating the entire experience of the restrictions, the athlete said: “This pandemic has taught me to observe hygiene even more. I started shopping online more often. I learned and now I use the e-health platform more.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
