South Africa’s leading canoe sprint athletes impressed at Roodeplaat, building confidence as they begin their journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Pretoria, South Africa (01 April 2026) – It was a strong showing from South Africa’s top canoe sprint athletes at the national championships, with performances at Roodeplaat Dam offering an early glimpse into what could lie ahead on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Among those leading the charge were Olympic hopefuls Hamish Lovemore and Esti Olivier, who both delivered dominant displays across their respective events. Their results underlined their current form but also set a solid foundation for the international season ahead.
The World Cup Silver medalist, Lovemore, made a brief but impactful appearance at the three-day regatta. Competing over just two days, he swept all three of his K1 races. The 1000m, 500m and 5000m, while also adding a K2 500m victory alongside Denmark’s Jonathan Dagnaes. His performance in the 1000m, in particular, stood out, finishing comfortably ahead of the field in what remains his key focus event heading towards LA28.
With his domestic campaign wrapped up, Lovemore quickly shifted gears, departing for a training block in Spain as he continues preparations against stronger international competition.
Olivier was equally impressive on the water. The experienced Olympian secured convincing wins in both the K1 500m and 200m events before teaming up with rising talent Alexa Godden to dominate the K2 races over the same distances. Her performances reflected a well-executed training programme and a steady build-up as she eyes another strong international campaign.
While the spotlight naturally fell on the country’s leading names, there were also encouraging performances elsewhere. Former Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley made her presence felt with gold medals in the K1 1000m and 5000m events, adding further depth to South Africa’s senior ranks.
This event was also an important platform for team selection. The event doubled as trials for several upcoming international competitions, including the senior World Championships in Poland, the junior and U23 World Championships in Canada, and the Olympic Dreams regatta in Slovakia.
For those athletes looking to make their mark on the global stage, more events are expected to be announced soon.
by 