The 26‑year‑old Paris Olympian and 2025 IFC Sprint World Championship silver medallist was in fantastic form across the three‑day national championships, which also served as a key selection event under the International Canoe Federation’s newly introduced Olympic qualification system for LA28.

Lovemore swept all three of his men’s K1 races – 500m, 1 000m and 5 000m – and added a fourth gold in the men’s K2 500m, underlining his credentials as one of South Africa’s leading Olympic hopefuls.

READ: Umdloti’s Hamish Lovemore paddles to SA K2 River title with Andy Birkett | North Coast Courier

In the K1 500m, Lovemore was pushed hard by Denmark’s Jonathan Dagnaes, edging his international rival by less than two seconds in a thrilling final to win in 1:40:08. He followed that up with a commanding victory in the 1 000m, his favoured distance, stopping the clock in 3:44:44 – five seconds clear of Dagnaes.

Lovemore completed a clean K1 sweep with gold in the 5 000m, winning a tightly contested race in 21:38:52.

Following the nationals, Lovemore hopped on a plane on Saturday for a two‑week World Cup training camp in Spain. Speaking to the Courier from Seville, he said the championships exceeded expectations.

“It was an awesome weekend; such a jol,” said Lovemore.

“It’s always great paddling at Roodeplaat; it’s the only official flat water sprint course in the country. The competition was strong, especially from Jonathan.”

Following the individual races, the South African and the Dane teamed up for the men’s K2 500m, after Lovemore reached out to Dagnaes in search of a partner. The combination proved decisive, as they powered to victory in 1:32:60, finishing comfortably ahead of Shaun Rubenstein and Mike Arthur.

“Jonathan is a really strong paddler; he pushed me to my limits. He’s so explosive and powerful – the boat was just flying across the water.”

ALSO READ: Umdloti paddlers Hockly and Lovemore win double silver at world championships | North Coast Courier

The SA Championships marked the official start of an important international phase for South African paddlers targeting LA28. The first major Olympic‑qualifying opportunities come with back‑to‑back World Cup events in Szeged, Hungary (May 8-10) and Brandenburg, Germany (May 14-17).

Later in the year, Lovemore will compete at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poland in August, another crucial step in the Olympic qualification pathway.

“My focus is the longer distances, I enjoy them, but the K1 000 is my main objection for the world champs,” added Lovemore.

Selected Men’s Final Results

K1 – 1 000m

1. Hamish Lovemore – 03:44.44
2. Jonathan Dagnaes – 03:49.20
3. Ulvard Hart – 03:49.45

K1 – 500m

1. Hamish Lovemore – 01:40.08
2. Jonathan Dagnaes – 01:41.99
3. Ulvard Hart – 01:43.30

K1 – 5 000m

1. Hamish Lovemore – 21:38.52
2. Ulvard Hart – 21:39.44
3. Jonathan Dagnaes – 21:45.60

K2 – 500m

1. Hamish Lovemore / Jonathan Dagnaes – 01:32.60
2. Shaun Rubenstein / Mike Arthur – 01:35.06
3. Ulvard Hart / Clinton Cook – 01:35.72