The multinational sports tourism event Navarino Challenge was held for its sixth consecutive year in Messinia of Greece, uniting professional and amateur athletes under the banner of sportsmanship.
A number of unique sporting activities were offered to participants throughout the three days of the event in order for them to challenge themselves and show off their skills, such as the Stand Up paddling relay race or the Ford Go Further semi-marathon.
Athletes from all over the globe representing 36 different nations took part in the event that effectively promoted multiculturalism.
Saturday was the day of the aquatic competitions, with swimmers competing in the 2.8 km marathon challenge and a showing of a race with Optimist and Laser type crafts by the Navy Club of Pylos ‘Nestor’.
On Sunday, the challenges continued on dry land, as participants emulated the course that was said to be taken by Tilemachos in his search for Odysseas according to Homer’s epic. There were also 5 and 10 km challenges on offer.
Other events included tae kwon do, basketball (with a 4-on-4 tournament), beach volley, beachathlon, kids’ athletics, climbing and bike riding, pilates, golfing, wrestling, kick boxing, baby swimming and aqua aerobics, high intensity training, group cycling, beach yoga and crossfit.
At this year’s Navarino Challenge, LUANVI, official provider of sporting goods, supplied all participants with their new state-of-the-art t-shirts that offer for better movement.
On Saturday evening a ceremony was held by Qatar Airways, one of the major sponsors of the event, that was extended towards all participants and guests, titled ‘A Night To Remember’. During this event that was attended by high figures of the political, athletic and cultural industries, honorary awards were handed out to some of the guests such as former Real Madrid legend Joe Arlaukas, who was also the host, former Greek basketball legendary player and coach Panagiotis Giannakis, and the former captain of the Greek national volleyball team, Michalis Triantafyllidis, olympic champion at 400m. Periklis Iakovakis and twice silver medalist at tae kwon do, Alexandros Nikolaidis were also awarded.
To see the results of all the sporting events, visit http://www.navarinochallenge.com/results-2018