UMDLOTI resident Hamish Lovemore was once again a shining light at an international event.

The 27-year-old is part of the SA team competing at the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gualeguaychú, Argentina and won gold in the men’s K1 short course event.

Lovemore was in a three-way battle for the medals with pre-race favourite, Portuguese sprint star Fernando Pimenta, and Denmark’s marathon specialist Mads Pedersen.

“I had a solid race from the start. I’ve had eight silver medals from various international events over the last three years so nice to get on the top step for a change. Mads and Pimenta were having an absolute battle and I was benefitting by sitting on the wash. I knew I had a good finish and it worked out. I am just so so happy,” he said.

Lovemore was one of the favourites to also win gold in the K1 long-course event but surprisingly struggled in the senior group early and finished ninth.

While this is his first international canoe marathon event, he has also represented SA in three ICF Canoe Sprint events in Poland, Hungary and Germany.

It has been a wonderful year for Lovemore who claimed three medals at each of the events. Those events have helped with his dream of booking a spot at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

“For the Olympics in 2028 I don’t just want to take part, I really want to be successful there. It is a big dream and journey but right now I’m enjoying competing against the best in the world and trusting in the process and my training,” he said.

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