Between engineering and canoeing: Daniel Cerdeira builds his future in and out of water
From studying at Técnico to international competitions, Daniel Cerdeira shares his experience of balancing study with his status as an ‘Olympic Hope’.
Daniel Cerdeira, a 2nd-year Aerospace Engineering student at Técnico, has a routine marked by the balance between academic demands and high-level competition. He is a high-performance athlete, member of the Under-23 National Canoeing Team, and holds the status of ‘Olympic Hope’ awarded by the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
Discipline and curiosity have always been part of his journey. “From a very early age, I wanted to be an engineer, driven by my love for mathematics and physics, particularly the mechanical aspect. Choosing aerospace engineering came naturally, given my passion for aircraft and the complexity of this field”, he says.
The knowledge gained at Técnico extends beyond the classroom. “What I have learnt in class allows me to analyse the kayak and paddle in greater detail. For instance, it has led me to adjust the position of my center of mass and understand how different paddling angles affect the boat’s glide”, he shares.
Between training and exams, there is also room to look to the future. “I intend to pursue a master’s programme in ‘Aircraft’ and enter the job market. I would like to stay in Portugal and join an Erasmus programme, if it is possible to reconcile it with my sports career”, he adds.
His accumulated experience shapes not only his results but also the way he faces each challenge. He leaves student-athletes with a piece of advice that sums up his own career: “Never give up on your goals. It’s a mentally demanding career, but the challenge of balancing these two worlds continues to motivate me. The secret is to organise your time well, be efficient, and value the support of those who are there for you in difficult times and in victories”.
In the 2025 season, Daniel competed in the European Junior and Under-23 Sprint Championships in Pitesti (Romania) and in the World Championships in Montemor-o-Velho, achieving 6th place in both events in the Olympic 500-meter distance in the K4 boat. In Portugal, he represented Técnico in the National University Championships, winning 2nd place in the K1 500m and, together with Francisco Batista, also a Técnico student, they won 3rd place in the K2 500m.
Daniel continues on a path that crosses engineering and canoeing, reconciling two pillars that mark his present and project his future plans —in and out of water.