Coetzee happy to be back but admits more kilometres is needed

Coetzee who made a comeback after nearly two years away from the sport revealed to SABC Sport that he had just three months to prepare for the World Cup which took place in Germany and Hungary. 

“I think it went well for where I am now. I only had about three months of training after my break so competitively I am not where I can be at the moment but I’m just taking it one small step at a time,” said Coetzee

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“You can’t make up for lost time, so I need that time and kilometres on the water again. That will come in the next couple of months.”

On the reasons why he took such a lengthy time off Coetzee says mentally he needed a break coupled with a few setbacks but added that he wished he had started training six months ago.

Since Canoeing will not be at the 2026 Commonwealth Games the 34-year-old revealed his plans for the rest of the year.

“So there is a race coming up in July in Canada. It should be another World Cup event. I am not sure if that would be one I’d be going to, but it's a possibility.”

“The focus for me this year would be to stay at home and focus on training and then next year my big focus would be on competing internationally again.”

Photo credit: Bence Vekassy