Hank McGregor is ‘Sportsman of the Year’

Video interview and Writer: Nicolaas Harding | Video production: Gijs Takken

2014 double world champion in singles and doubles kayak marathon, Hank McGregor (RSA) proudly collected his Golden Paddle in person from 8-time Olympic gold medalist in kayak sprint Birgit Fischer on Saturday night in Augsburg, Germany.

Hank was humbled by the incredible reception he received from the five hundred-strong crowd of paddling athletes and legends, international sports administrators and Augsburg high-profile guests who all attended the World Paddle Awards premier.

“To be recognised for what I have achieved, it makes it all worthwhile all those hours I've been training year after year and receive this award especially from Birgit Fischer, I remember when she was still sprinting and involved in sprint kayaking, people were amazed by her performance the and still are now. For her to give the award to me was a true honour!”

He praises the phenomenal level of achievement by all other 2014 award-nominees saying how  they were so many inspiring world-title winners amongst them, and indeed present at the event.

In his video interview [above] Hank also talks about this significance of his award for sport in South Africa particularly where focus has traditionally been on the country's mainstream sports: cricket, rugby and football (soccer). He enthusiastically looks forward to the 2017 Canoe Marathon World Championship which will be held in South Africa; he predicts how it will inspire more children in his country to take an interest in and participate in canoeing – whether or not he will be still competing then on the senior men's team is yet to be known.

Down to earth, Hank outlines how he does not paddle for fame, but because of the lifestyle – he adores being on the water close to nature, travelling the world and, where the paddlesports community is a genuinely close family, competing against his friends and like-minded people.

A much deserved recipient of the 'Sportsman' award, Hank's mother Skyye was also present at the ceremony in Augsburg and told us:

“It's incredible for him and from the fact that even though he has reached the world's top in his sport he can still have his family around with all the time at 90% of the venues and races. His little boy is at every prize-giving wherever he can on his shoulders to collect every prize. It is incredible for children in South Africa to believe that they could also achieve something similar on the world stage.”