Fresh off a provincial rowing championship, a Â鶹AV rower is looking to make a name for himself on the national scene.
At just 18 years old, Oleksii Lupan became one of the youngest ever to take gold at the open men's singles sculls race at the B.C Rowing Championships in Burnaby from July 11-13.
Lupan was born and raised in Ukraine and got into rowing when he was eight.
"My dad would explore the City of Kyiv for sports and thought that rowing was pretty good, so he put me in it," he told Â鶹AV. "Now, 11 years later, I am still going."
Three years ago, Lupan and his family moved to Austria, then to Â鶹AV, where he was able to integrate through the Â鶹AV Rowing Club.
"I love the sport, but it is all people 40 plus years old," said Lupan, who wants to get more youth involved. "I am the only young male rower, so I am trying to get it more popular."
Lupan gives an easy sell on the sport.
"I like lifting weights and I find that running and rowing is the perfect combination between the two," he said. "You engage your legs, backs, and arms; it is nice in nature, and you also get a tan."
Turning 19 soon, Lupan's next challenge will be at the Canada Cup event in London, Ont., from Aug. 11-17.
Last year, as a junior, Lupan finished in the top 10, something he is hoping to replicate this time in a tougher division, the U21.
He will face some stiff competition, competing against the best U21 rowers from across the country.
"This is going to be the best of the best," he said. "I am in the singles competition and it is just one athlete from each province who competes in my event, so it is going to be a challenge, but I am training for it hard."
To follow along with Lupan's journey, visit
