Second World Cup Gold of the Season for Ukrainian Canoeists Luzan and Rybachok

Ukrainian Canoeists Shine Again on the World Stage

According to Главком: Lyudmyla Luzan and Anastasiia Rybachok, representing Ukraine, have secured their second gold medal of the season at a World Cup canoe sprint event. The third stage of the 2026 World Cup season took place in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal. The Ukrainian duo continues to build momentum as they steadily progress toward qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Victories in International Competition

The pair's next outing was in Montreal, Canada, where they delivered an outstanding performance by finishing first in the 500-meter race. Their winning time was 2 minutes and 2.02 seconds. The competitors they defeated included:

• The Chinese duo of Sun Mengya and Yanan Ma, who came in second with a time of 2:03.23;
• The Spanish team of Angels Moreno and Victoria Yarcherska, who took third place with a result of 2:03.59.

After three World Cup stages, Luzan and Rybachok have achieved an impressive two victories. Overall in the 2026 season, they have won three gold medals in the women's canoe double (C2) event: two from World Cup stages and one from the European Championships. A notable highlight is Lyudmyla Luzan being named Ukraine's Best Female Athlete of June 2026 by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. This marks her third such recognition, having previously received the honor for June 2023 and August 2025.

Luzan is a four-time European champion in canoe sprint. She claimed victories in the women's single canoe (C1) over 200 meters and 500 meters, as well as in the women's double canoe (C2) over 500 meters and 200 meters alongside Anastasiia Rybachok in Montemor-o-Velho. These achievements underscore the strong start for the Ukrainian canoeists in the new season.

The international successes of Lyudmyla Luzan and Anastasiia Rybachok highlight the high level of training and potential of Ukrainian athletes in canoe sprint. - Source: National Olympic Committee of Ukraine

Given their track record, they are expected to continue competing for medals at upcoming events, including the Olympic Games, which raises the profile of Ukrainian sports in the international arena. Their victories at the World Cup and European Championships are key milestones on the road to Olympic qualification, potentially inspiring new generations of athletes in Ukraine.

As Ukrainian athletes continue to excel on the global stage, it's worth noting that Lyudmyla Luzan has recently been recognized as one of Ukraine's top sports figures for June 2026. This accolade further highlights her impressive achievements in canoe sprint, complementing the duo's recent victories. To learn more about the athletes honored this month, visit the list of Ukraine's top sportspeople.