Cubans Katherin Nuevo and Yarisleidis Cirilo advanced directly to the semifinals of the single-seater canoe (C1) at the distance of 200 meters

Tokyo, August 4 (RHC)-- Cubans Katherin Nuevo and Yarisleidis Cirilo advanced today directly to the semifinals of the single-seater canoe (C1) at the distance of 200 meters corresponding to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On the waters of the Sea Forest Canal, both Antillean canoeists finished second in their heats, Nuevo achieved 46.533 seconds and Cirilo clocked 47.267, valid for tomorrow's final.

The 18-year-old Nuevo was only surpassed in her heat by American Nevin Harrison, who clocked 44.938 seconds when crossing the finish line to lead the all-time times in the event at this level.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Cirilo, escorted Canadian Katie Vincent in the qualifying heat, who clocked 46.391 seconds, the fourth fastest time among the eight semifinalists who qualified directly.

Joining this group of qualifiers are Ukraine's Liudmyla Luzan (45.571), China's Wenjun Lin (46.449), Canada's Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (45.408) and Russia's Olesia Romasenko (46.126).

For Latin America, Chile's Maria Mailliard came in fourth in her heat with a time of 47.557 seconds and will compete in the quarterfinal round.

The Cubans, medalists in this year's World Cup stages, are making their debut under the shadow of the five rings and will also take part in the two-seater canoe (C2) at a distance of 500 meters.

The canoeing of the largest of the Antilles went to Tokyo with five exponents and yesterday the pair of Serguey Torres and Fernando Dayán Jorge in the 1,000-meter C2 won the first Olympic gold for the island in the discipline.