IIT Delhi Student Wins Bronze in 2023 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup
New Delhi: In a moment of pride for IIT Delhi, Pradeep, an M. Tech. student from the Department of Civil Engineering, represented India in the 2023 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup and contributed to the Indian team’s remarkable achievement of winning the bronze medal.
Pradeep’s exceptional skills were showcased in the 500-meter 10-seater Dragon Boat Mixed Team event, where the Indian team secured the third position. Hailing from Gangana village in Haryana’s Sonepat district, Pradeep’s stellar performance not only brought glory to the nation but also made IIT Delhi proud.
Recognizing his remarkable feat, Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student Affairs, congratulated Pradeep on his outstanding accomplishment during a meeting held on Friday. They expressed their admiration for his dedication and wished him the best for future endeavors.
In addition to the bronze medal, Pradeep was also part of the team that secured 6th place in the 200-meter 10-seater Dragon Boat Men’s event at the World Cup. The Dragon Boat World Cup, held in China’s Yichang city from June 20 to 23, saw the participation of teams from approximately 15 countries.
Reflecting on his achievement, Pradeep expressed his joy, stating, “I am extremely delighted to have represented my country in the 2023 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup and to have won the bronze medal. I am grateful to IIT Delhi, my M.Tech. thesis supervisor, Prof. Supratic Gupta, and the entire Civil Engineering Department for their unwavering support. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association for their guidance. I remain hopeful of representing my country in future prestigious events and winning more medals.”
The Dragon Boat event involves a race where teams compete to cover a clearly defined, unobstructed course in the shortest possible time. Participants paddle in twos, using a single-bladed paddle, while a drummer and a steerer provide rhythm and guidance. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) recognizes official race distances of 200 or 250 meters, 500 meters, and 2000 meters. Events are categorized for men’s, women’s, and mixed teams.
