Lisa Carrington wins Olympic Gold

Surf Life Saving New Zealand are extremely proud of Olympic medal winner Lisa Carrington and congratulates Canoe Racing New Zealand on this significant achievement. 

Lisa clocked a time of 44.638 to beat Inna Osypenko-Radomska (45.053) from Ukraine in second place and Natasa Douchev-Janics (45.128) from Hungary in third place.

The Auckland based athlete and Surf Lifeguard was the favourite competitor heading into the race after she became a household name overnight in 2011 when she won the K1 200m world title in Szeged, Hungary. Lisa took up canoeing at age 17, and has achieved incredible results in the last two years.

The 23-year-old began her sporting career at the Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club at the age of 10 where she dabbled in multiple events to find her true talent. The Nipper programme is a breeding ground for many future athletes and Surf Life Saving are proud to have given these athletes their sporting start.

"If it was not for the Nipper programme and the great encouragement I have had throughout my life from Surf Life Saving and Canoe Racing New Zealand, I really do believe I would not be in the position I am in today," says Lisa.

This year Lisa was a finalist for sportswoman of the year at the Halberg Awards and the winner of the K1 200m and K2 500m at the Oceania Championships.

Chief executive of Surf Life Saving New Zealand Paul Dalton said "We congratulate Lisa and Canoe Racing New Zealand on this Olympic gold medal and are immensely proud of what she has achieved. It takes hard work, sacrifice, and focus to reach the pinnacle of your sport and we give huge praise to her success."

For full results on all Canoe Racing New Zealand athletes, visit www.canoeracing.org.nz.

Lisa Carrington races in her K1 200m final / Photo thanks to CRNZ and Getty Images.