The South African canoe sprinter claimed silver and bronze in Germany to make it three World Cup medals across two consecutive weekends in Europe.
Brandenburg, Germany (19 May 2026) – Another one for Lovemore! South African canoe sprinter Hamish Lovemore is building serious momentum on the international stage after adding two more medals to his growing World Cup collection in Germany over the weekend.
Competing at the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Brandenburg, Lovemore claimed silver in the men’s K1 1000m before following it up with bronze in the K1 5000m, taking his tally to three World Cup medals across two consecutive weekends in Europe.
And he did it all while adjusting to icy European conditions far removed from the South African weather he is used to training in. Lovemore was overjoyed after his silver medal performance.
“I’m so happy … it’s the best end to the trip. The conditions were really difficult coming from South Africa, the cold! It’s the first time I have had to wear a thermal with a rain jacket underneath.”
The silver medal in the Olympic-distance K1 1000m was a particularly strong response after Lovemore finished ninth in the same event at the opening World Cup regatta in Szeged, Hungary just a week earlier. This time, however, the South African looked completely at home among the front-runners.
Lovemore stayed within touching distance throughout the race before taking the lead heading into the closing stages. Hungary’s Balint Kopasz eventually surged late to take the win, while Australia’s Thomas Green finished third behind the South African.
Then came another podium finish on Sunday!
Lovemore raced to bronze in the K1 5000m, matching the medal he picked up in the same event during the previous World Cup weekend. Denmark’s Mads Pedersen claimed victory after breaking away from the field, while Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta finished second.
There were also solid performances from the rest of the South African team in Brandenburg.
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But once again, it was Lovemore who left Europe with another medal in the bag.
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