MTU researcher wins gold at coastal rowing

A researcher at the Munster Technological University (MTU) has won a gold medal at the at the World Coastal Rowing Championships, which took place last weekend in Genoa, Italy.

Monika Dukarska, a PhD researcher at MTU, clinched the top spot in the Coastal Women’s Solo final, with a time of 20:39.51.

The 34-year-old Killorglin-based rower won the title for a second year in a row, marking her fifth world championship gold and ninth medal overall since she began coastal rowing in 2008.

She said the championship had been particularly unpredictable and challenging, with the location and weather playing a major role.

“My heat was incredibly tough. The waves were large, making it difficult to control the boat,” she said.

Until Ms Dukarska reached the beach, she thought she had finished second to Diana Dymchenko of Azerbaijan, not realising the other athlete had been disqualified for an error.

“When I reached the beach, everyone was congratulating me, telling me I’d won. I was absolutely thrilled,” Ms Dukarska said.