A Late Surge and Another World Championship Medal for Lovemore

Photo Credit: Game Plan Media

Lovemore stormed through the field in the closing stages of the 5 000m to claim silver and match his medal haul from last year’s World Championships.

Poland (01 September 2026) – Hamish Lovemore saved his best for last in Poznan, producing a powerful finish in the final race of the 2026 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships to secure another World Championship medal for South Africa.

The KwaZulu-Natal paddler stormed to silver in the men’s 5 000m, matching the medal haul he recorded at last year’s World Championships and ending the regatta on a high.

It was anything but a straightforward finish.

With the leading group closing in on the line, Lovemore found himself at the back of a four-man battle. But rather than settling for what looked like a lower finish, the South African unleashed a huge final sprint and began picking off his rivals one by one.

Norway’s Amund Vold was passed, followed by Denmark’s Mads Pedersen.

Pedersen has been one of the South African’s biggest rivals over the past two years, repeatedly beating him to gold in 5 000m and marathon events.

Only Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta could hold off the late charge.

Pimenta crossed the line first in 24:15.72, with Lovemore finishing in 24:17.17. Pedersen took bronze in 24:18.17 after arriving in Poland chasing a fourth consecutive World Championship title in the event.

For Lovemore, it was another reminder of just how competitive he has become on the international stage.

The 27-year-old also had to settle for a place in the 1 000m B Final after narrowly missing the A Final. He finished fourth in a fiercely contested semi-final that included both Pimenta and Hungary’s Bálint Kopasz, who went on to claim gold and silver respectively.

Lovemore bounced back to win the B Final, giving him another positive result to take away from Poland.

South Africa’s other paddlers also put in solid efforts during the championships. Former Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley finished sixth in the 1 000m B Final and 15th in the 5 000m.