Sam Leaver and his sister Lois Leaver both won bronze medals at the World Championships.
Paddle UK performance director Tom Duggan said he is proud of the British team after they started their Olympic qualification campaign with third place in the medal table at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City.
Sam Leaver won the team's sixth medal, and his first at senior level, at the World Championships, with kayak cross bronze at the venue set to be used for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
GB's other medals came from Joe Clarke's gold in the men's kayak cross, the men's team winning the canoe team world title, Adam Burgess' silver in the men's canoe final, Lois Leaver – Sam Leaver's sister - winning bronze in the women's kayak cross individual and Kimberley Woods winning women's kayak bronze.
"I am really pleased with the performances we put in this week. It has been a really good start to the Olympic Qualification System," said Duggan, after GB finished behind the Czech Republic and Australia.
"It is only the first race of nine for the rankings but to have achieved some of the performances we have on what will be the Olympic venue is really important as we build confidence and momentum.
"The conditions have been really difficult in terms of the temperatures for the athletes and coaches to contend with, but it has given us a flavour of what to expect in 2028.
"I am super proud of how everyone, athletes and coaches, have come together to put in the performances we have."
How did Great Britain perform in Oklahoma City?
Great Britain finished third in the medal table at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, behind the Czech Republic and Australia, as the team began its Olympic qualification campaign.
The result came at the venue set to be used for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, making the championships an early test of the conditions GB can expect at LA28.
Sam Leaver's bronze in kayak cross was his first medal at senior level and the sixth medal won by the British team at the event. His sister, Lois Leaver, also claimed bronze in the women's kayak cross individual event.
Joe Clarke won gold in the men's kayak cross, the men's team took the canoe team world title, Adam Burgess earned silver in the men's canoe final and Kimberley Woods won bronze in women's kayak.
Why was the result important for LA28 qualification?
The result was an encouraging opening to the Olympic Qualification System, with only the first race of nine counted for the rankings. Duggan said the performances were important because they came on the Olympic venue and helped the team build confidence and momentum.
He also said the difficult temperatures in Oklahoma City were a useful preview for athletes and coaches preparing for 2028. The conditions created challenges throughout the week but also gave GB a practical sense of what to expect in Los Angeles.
"I am really pleased with the performances we put in this week. It has been a really good start to the Olympic Qualification System," said Duggan, after GB finished behind the Czech Republic and Australia.
"It is only the first race of nine for the rankings but to have achieved some of the performances we have on what will be the Olympic venue is really important as we build confidence and momentum.
"The conditions have been really difficult in terms of the temperatures for the athletes and coaches to contend with, but it has given us a flavour of what to expect in 2028.
"I am super proud of how everyone, athletes and coaches, have come together to put in the performances we have."
Tom Duggan said he was "super proud" of how athletes and coaches came together during the championships. The performances, he added, showed positive signs as Great Britain continue their path through the qualification series.
Key Facts
- Great Britain finished third in the medal table at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City.
- Sam Leaver won kayak cross bronze, his first senior-level medal, and Lois Leaver also won bronze.
- GB's other medals came from Joe Clarke, the men's canoe team, Adam Burgess and Kimberley Woods.
- The event was held at the venue set to be used for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
- Duggan said it was the first race of nine in the Olympic Qualification System.
