Serbian Kayakers Dominate in Montreal: Žarko and Marko Win Gold at the World Cup

Žarko Jakovljević and Marko Dragosavljević claimed gold in the K2 500m event at the Montreal World Cup, while Branko Lagundžić also reached the A final, confirming Serbia's strength in sprint kayak.

Montreal, Canada – July 14, 2026: The Serbian national kayak team delivered a commanding performance on the final day of the World Cup in Montreal, with Žarko Jakovljević and Marko Dragosavljević winning gold in the K2 500m discipline. The Serbian duo dominated the A final, crossing the line in 1:26.67, ahead of the Slovakian pair Samuel Balaž and Adam Botek (1:27.04) and the Norwegian crew Lukas Roesten and Gunnar Eide (1:27.48).

The victory was the culmination of a series of strong performances throughout the competition. Jakovljević and Dragosavljević had already impressed in the qualifications, where they posted excellent times, and followed up with a convincing victory in the semifinal. Their form in Montreal was consistently high, and they proved themselves the strongest crew in the field.

The result carries particular significance for the young Serbian pairing. For Žarko Jakovljević, this was his first senior World Cup medal — a milestone in his career. His partner, Marko Dragosavljević, is one of the most experienced members of the Serbian national team, and his presence alongside the younger Jakovljević provided the ideal balance of experience and youthful energy.

What makes this success even more remarkable is the short time the pair has spent together. This was only their sixth official international race as a duo. The crew was formed shortly before the European Championships in Portugal, and in less than a month of training together, they have gone from formation to the top of the World Cup podium. The achievement speaks to the potential of the new Serbian crew and their ability to compete at the highest level.

There was also a strong performance from Branko Lagundžić, who finished seventh in the A final of the K1 500m discipline with a time of 1:39.64. Lagundžić had been the fastest in the qualifications, and his place among the top nine competitors in the final confirms his consistency at the highest level. He has been a regular participant in A finals throughout the season, both at World Cups and the European Championship, and his performance in Montreal continues that trend.

The young Serbian duo of Veljko Vještica and Strahinja Dragosavljević competed in the C final of the K2 500m discipline, finishing eighth with a time of 1:36.29, which placed them 26th overall. For the two 19-year-olds, the experience of racing in Montreal against the world's best crews will serve as a valuable learning opportunity.

The World Cup in Montreal confirmed that Serbia belongs among the leading nations in sprint kayak. With a gold medal, a fifth-place finish for the men's four, and Lagundžić's seventh place in the K1 500m, Serbia finished seventh in the overall medal standings, ahead of several traditionally strong kayaking nations. The results provide an excellent incentive and confirmation that the Serbian national team is continuing its Olympic cycle toward the Los Angeles 2028 Games with growing confidence.

The combination of established talent and emerging young paddlers bodes well for Serbia's future in the sport. The Montreal World Cup has demonstrated that Serbian sprint kayak is in a strong position, with the potential to compete for medals at the highest level for years to come.