The expert commission of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has officially named Lyudmyla Luzan the best athlete of August 2026. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the NOK of Ukraine press service. The basis for this recognition was the outstanding results of the 29-year-old paddler at the World Canoe Sprint Championships, which took place in Poznań, Poland. It was there that Luzan added two prestigious medals to her collection, confirming her status as one of the most successful athletes in the history of Ukrainian sport.
Triumph at the World Championships in Poznań
At the world championship in Poland, Lyudmyla Luzan won the gold medal in the C-1 200 m event, successfully defending her world title. In addition, the Ukrainian paddler took silver in the C-2 500 m event, competing alongside Anastasiia Rybatsok. The double success at the world championship became the key argument for the NOK expert commission when selecting the best athlete of the month.
A Historic Achievement in the C-1
Luzan's victory in the C-1 200 m is not just a sporting but a historic feat. According to the NOK press service, the Ukrainian became only the second athlete in the world and the first European representative to win this title at the World Championships. Such an achievement underscores the exceptional nature of the result and cements Luzan's place among the greatest paddlers on the planet.
A Collection of World-Class Awards
A native of Ivano-Frankivsk, she has already entered the history of Ukrainian sport as one of the most decorated athletes. She holds three Olympic medals: silver and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games, as well as silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Luzan's total number of World Championship medals has reached 13 — including 9 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze. In addition, the paddler has 16 European Championship medals to her name, making her statistics truly impressive.
Fourth Recognition from the NOK
Lyudmyla Luzan is receiving the title of best athlete of the month according to the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine for the fourth time in her career. Previously, the commission had recognized her in June 2023, in August 2025, and in June 2026. Thus, canoe sprint remains one of the most successful sports for Ukraine, and Luzan is its main face on the international arena. Meanwhile, as observers note, tennis player Yaroslava Mahuchikh could have been a contender for the title in August 2026, but the expert commission gave preference to the paddler.
Context and Plans
According to the Korrespondent publication, Luzan herself, having four season titles, pointed to the successful realization of her plans. For the 29-year-old athlete, who is at the peak of her form, the upcoming period may become yet another productive stage in a career that has already entered the golden fund of the Ukrainian Olympic movement.
