Ukrainian para-rower Anna Sheremet won gold at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, finishing almost 20 seconds ahead of her closest rival.
At the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, Ukrainian para-rower Anna Sheremet has won Team Ukraine's first gold medal of the tournament. In the women's PR1 single sculls final, she cruised to victory in 9:48.91 — almost 20 seconds ahead of Belgium's Laurence Vandewyvere, who finished second in 10:17.77. Switzerland's Claire Ghiringhelli took bronze in 10:39.76.
This is Sheremet's second consecutive world title — she also won this event last year. She also successfully defended her European title, won earlier this season in Varese, Italy. The 25-year-old athlete's record now includes gold and bronze from world championships and several European championship medals.
Ukraine's team got another boost from Roman Polyansky, who won bronze in the men's PR1 single sculls — another medal for the team at these World Championships, held on the Bosbaan rowing course.
Ukraine's para-rowers keep training and competing at the highest level despite the full-scale war at home. Wins like this one are more than a sporting result — they're a reminder to the world that Ukraine keeps standing, and winning, even under the hardest conditions.
Volunteers Support Ukraine warmly congratulates Anna Sheremet and the whole team on this win, and continues supporting Ukrainians — including athletes and their families affected by the war — in whatever way its available resources allow.
