Our Story
The Albanian Rowing Team was established in Italy with the help of
the coach of Moto Guzzi Rowing Club, Franco Zucchi, and the sport
manager Antonio Bassi. The “adventure” began with the World
Championship, in Milan, where Ilda Theka, from Tirana but living in
Italy, took part in 2003 as the first Albanian rower. This was followed
by other international rowing events participations, such as the
Under 23 World Championships in Belgrade, the Mediterranean
Olympic Games in Almeria, the World University Championships in
Brive la Gaillairde, etc. Later, with the help of Antonio Bassi, Ilda
followed the Albanian team in the quality of Team Manager.
In 2007 Edi Theka, from Tirana and also living in Italy, joined the
emergent team by competing at the Junior World Championships in
Beijing and the following year at the Under 23 World Championships
in Brandenburg.
In 2009 the Albanian rowing team “acquires” two new Albanian
athletes, both living in Italy, Andi Cuko, from Fier, and Marsel Nikaj,
from Shkoder. The representation of Albania therefore increased in
different international scenes. Andi participated at the World
Championships in Linz and at the DRV International Juniors Regatta
in Munich. And the last entry of the team, Marsel Nikaj competed at
the World Junior Championships in Brive la Gaillarde and he
represented Albania even at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
Below is a chronological list of competitions that Albania Rowing has participated in.
This initiative was possible thanks to the support of Fédération
Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron (FISA) and the sponsorship of
DiBi, Tucano Urbano, Panozzo Srl and Universita’ degli Studi di
Milano Bicocca.
Competitions
- 2003 - World Cup 1 Milan Idroscalo/ITA – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2003 - World Cup 3 Lucerne Rotsee/SUI – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2003 - World Championships Milan Idroscalo/ITA – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2004 - World Championships Banyoles Estany/ESP – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2004 - World Championships Poznan Malta/POL – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2004 - World Championships Amsterdam Bosbaan/NED – Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2004 – University World Championships Brive la Gaillarde/FRA - Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2005 – Mediterranean Games Almeria/ESP - Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2007 - World Championships Munich Oberschleissheim/GER - Ilda Theka (LW1)
- 2007 – Junior World Championships Beijing Shunyi/CHN – Edi Theka (JM1X)
- 2008 – Under 23 World Championships Brandenburg Beetzsee/GER – Edi Theka (BLM1X)
- 2008 - Junior World Championships Linz Ottensheim/AUT - Andi Cuko (JM1X)
- 2008 – Memorial D’Aloja International Race Piediluco/ITA – Andi Cuko (JM1X)
- 2008 – DRV International Junioren Regatta Munich/GER – Andi Cuko (JM1X)
- 2009 - Mediterranean Games Pescara/ITA – Edi Theka and Andi Cuko (BM2X)
- 2009 – Under 23 World Championships – Racice Roudnice/CZE – Edi Theka, Marsel Nikaj (BM2X)
- 2009 - Junior World Championships Brive la Gaillarde/FRA – Marsel Nikaj (JM1X)
- 2010 - Junior World Championships Racice Roudnice/CZE - Marsel Nikaj (JM1X)
- 2010 – Youth Olympic Games Singapore Marina Reservoir/SI - Marsel Nikaj (JM1X)
- 2010 - Under 23 World Championships Brest/BLR - Edi Theka (BLM1X)
- 2011 - Under 23 World Championships Amsterdam Bosbaan/NED (BM1X)
- * LW1X: Light weight women single scull
- * JM1X: Junior men single scull
- * BLM1X: Under 23 light weight men single scull
- * BM2X: Under 23 men double scull
- * BM1X: Under 23 men scull