South Africa enjoyed a fantastic campaign at the 2026 Canoe Marathon World in Gualeguaychú, Argentina.

Across four action-packed days of racing, the country's top paddlers delivered world-class performances, earning a total of six medals.

The week was filled with exciting finishes, unexpected dramatic moments and dominant gold medal victories.

The excitement started on Friday during the short-course finals, which had been delayed from Thursday due to a storm.

South African paddlers showed complete focus and swept two major gold medals.

Schoolboy Keegan Vogt opened South Africa's medal count in the junior men's short course. Just three minutes into the race, the Maritzburg College pupil made a powerful break.

He built a comfortable lead and crossed the finish line 13 seconds ahead of Hungary's Armin Palinkas to claim the gold medal.

Later that evening, Hamish Lovermore secured his first-ever World Championship gold in a thrilling senior men's short-course final.

Competing against pre-race favourite Fernando Pimenta of Portugal and Denmark's Mads Pedersen, Lovermore stayed throughout the tactical three-lap race.

As the sprinted toward the finish, Lovemore unleashed a devastating final push to pass both rivals and take victory.

Reflecting on his long-awaited win, Lovemore shared his joy:

"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 benefiting by sitting on the wash. I knew I had a good finish, and it worked out. I am just so, so happy."

Silver Medal for Keegan Vogt and Paddlesport South Africa in the K1 Men U23 at Gualeguaychú, Argentina. Picture: Paddlesport South Africa/Facebook

Saturday brought long-course races, where South Africans continued to fight for the podium.

Keegan Vogt returned to the water in the junior men's long course, earning a brave silver medal after a tight final sprint against Italy's Leonardo Candela.

The senior men's long-course race was full of unexpected drama.

While short-course champion Hamish Lovemore struggled early and finished ninth, his teammate Uli Hart stepped up brilliantly. 

Hart stayed near the front alongside Pedersen and local Argentinian hero Franco Balboa.

However, late-race drama struck when officials disqualified Balboa at the end of lap seven for an earlier collision.

That left Hart and Pedersen to battle for victory.

Hart put up a strong fight, but the experienced Dane pulled away at the finish line, leaving Hart with a well-deserved silver medal.

South Africa capped off the event on Sunday with another medal performance.

Georgia Singe and Jade Wilson teamed up in the senior women's K2 race to capture bronze.

Adding to earlier bronze-medal performances by Singe in the U23 category, Team South Africa finished the world championships with gold medals, two silvers and two bronzes.

Their impressive showing highlights South Africa's growing strength in world canoeing.

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