South Africa’s top sprint canoeists hit the water in Hungary this weekend at the Szeged World Cup, the first major international race of the new Olympic cycle leading to LA 2028.
Szeged, Hungary (18 May 2025) – South Africa’s top sprint canoeists are geared up for a weekend of world-class competition as the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup kicks off today in Szeged. With Olympians Hamish Lovemore and Esti Olivier leading the charge, alongside rising talent Henry van der Walt, the trio will battle it out against nearly 550 paddlers from 44 nations.
This isn’t just another regatta. Szeged 2025 marks the first major international event of the new Olympic cycle; the long road to Los Angeles 2028 begins here. It also debuts the ICF’s new World Ranking System, where results will now help determine future Olympic qualifications. For South Africa’s elite, the stakes are high, and every stroke counts.
Hamish Lovemore, fresh off an impressive 2024 season that saw him claim silver at the World Marathon Champs and a strong showing at the Paris Olympics, is the one to watch in the gruelling 5,000m race on Sunday. The six-lap, five-portage format plays to the 25-year-old’s marathon strengths, and after finishing fourth at this very venue last year, he’s gunning for the podium.
But Lovemore won’t be idle till Sunday, he’s also entered in the 1,000m event, with heats hitting the water today.
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Esti Olivier, no stranger to the global stage, is also diving into the deep end today with heats in both the 500m and 200m. With two Olympic Games behind her (and one heartbreakingly missed in Tokyo despite qualifying), Olivier begins her campaign toward a potential third Olympic appearance. She brings invaluable experience to the team and a fire to keep flying South Africa’s flag.
Henry van der Walt, the newcomer of the group, earned his spot with a storming win in the 200m at the SA Champs. While he may lack the international CV of his teammates, his explosive pace over short distances makes him one to watch. He’ll be paddling a packed programme with 200m and 1,000m heats today and 500m action on Saturday.
All eyes will be on Planet Canoe’s YouTube livestream, where fans can catch the action live from 8 am (SA time) today and from 9 am on Saturday and Sunday. With a new Olympic cycle underway, a fresh ranking system in place, and global paddling giants in the mix, this weekend’s regatta is set to deliver more than just fast times; it’s the first real glimpse of what the road to LA 2028 might look like.
Go, Team SA! Let’s make some waves!!!
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