A Bow Valley rower powered her way to a three medal performance while facing off against the best young athletes in the west.
Lihani Du Plessis won three medals at the Western Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, B.C., capturing two silver medals and a bronze on the water on Aug. 14.
Partnered with Nicole Hare of Calgary in the two-person scull, Du Plessis faced tough competition from B.C. and Saskatchewan rowers, however, she persevered for a podium finish.
“It was a neat experience,” Du Plessis said.
She was happy with her results, where she battled strong winds and stiff competition in the 2,000-metre final with a 9:35.85 time, 22 seconds behind the gold medal boat.
“There was a strong headwind that made it hard in the final. We stayed with British Columbia until the 250-metre mark, then they pulled away,” Du Plessis said.
In the quad scull, she again grabbed silver and again was about 22 seconds behind the first place boat after 2,000m.
Finally, Du Plessis rowed to a bronze in the eight.
Du Plessis moved from South Africa to Canmore with her family six years ago and has been attending school in St. Michaels in Vancouver after finishing up at Lawrence Grassi Middle School. She ended up facing off against many of her classmates at the Western Games who were rowing for British Columbia.
“B.C. won everything,” Du Plessis said.
She said she accomplished all of her goals at the games.
“I wanted to medal in all three events,” Du Plessis said.
At 16, Du Plessis has a bright racing future ahead.
“I definitely want to go to the Canada Summer Games and the U23 championships,” Du Plessis said, who also has Olympic dreams dancing in her head.
“I’m very determined. If I have a goal, I work hard to achieve it,” she said.
