Gold medal hat-trick for Australia’s paddle queen
Jess Fox has been on an absolute tear at the 2026 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, capturing an incredible three gold medals in one week.
The Australian paddle icon has completed a comeback story for the ages, returning to international dominance only 12 months after undergoing kidney surgery.
Kate Eckhardt, Jessica Fox and Noemie Fox celebrate their victory. Paddle Australia
Her triumphant campaign began on day one of the championships with a victory in the women’s kayak cross individual time trial.
She then struck gold again on day two when she teamed up with her sister Noemie, alongside Kate Eckhardt, in the kayak cross team time trial.
On Friday morning AEST, she then secured her fifth women’s K1 title and third gold of the event.
Adding to the significance of her historic sweep, these victories unfolded at the designated canoe slalom venue for the 2028 LA Olympics.
For Fox, the performance serves as the perfect launchpad as she prepares for her fifth Olympic Games in two years’ time.
“It’s emotional. I can’t believe it. I was so nervous today and once I made the final, I wanted to try and get out there, enjoy it and give it my best shot. I’m so proud of my race,” Fox said after her third gold medal for the week.
“I’m just really proud today to push myself in those uncomfortable moments of pressure and nerves and to be able to deliver and win another world title. I just can’t believe it.
“I’m so full of gratitude, and joy, and emotion, and thankful to everyone who has helped me. It takes a village to get you from the hospital bed to just back in a boat,” she said further.
The team gold also marked a special reunion for the Australians.
The Fox sisters and Eckhardt joined forces for the first time since claiming gold in the same event at the 2023 World Championships in London.
Because the team time trial is an exclusive feature of the World Championships, the victory felt especially rare, the younger Fox sister dubbing the triumphant trio a “dream team”.
Richard Fox, father of the two Fox sisters, spoke on his eldest’s return to the water and competition to Nine’s Today.
“It’s been a big journey. When you hear (Jess) talk about her performances...she relates strongly to that ordeal,” he said to Today.
“She was in the ICU, had part of her kidney removed, all of that. I guess we moved on a little bit because she was back on the water training and competing, but you forget with the top competitors, how much it really means to line up and how much she wanted it when you’re coming back from a setback.
“All credit to her. We’re very proud, and I think she’s proud of herself too, for sure.”
