Kayaking: Fouhy in winning form

New Zealand's world champion Ben Fouhy humbled Australia's best by winning the K1 500m title at the Australian kayak championships in Sydney yesterday.

Fouhy backed up his K1 1000m title yesterday with the K1 500 success on the 2000 Olympic Games watercourse, rekindling his hunger for international paddling after a self-imposed layoff after the 2004 Athens Olympics.

In both finals, Fouhy, the Olympic K1 1000 silver medallist and 2003 world champion, had to contend with two-time world champion and former Olympic gold medallist, Nathan Baggley.

"Taking the 500 and 1000 double was hugely satisfying with a lot of Aussies showing me a good measure of respect," Fouhy said.

"They were impressed with the level of my performance, which is a compliment from them.

"The direction I have taken has been vindicated and shows we are taking the right path," he said.

"I had come to Australia to gauge where I am and to win both titles has been hugely rewarding."

New Zealand manager Alan Thompson was hugely impressed with Fouhy performances.

"The Australians respect him and they know what he is capable of," Thompson said.

Thompson was also more than happy with New Zealand's junior paddlers throughout the Australian championships.

Shaun O'Connor, of Gisborne, finished second in the K1 1000, and third in the 500 and 200, while Aucklander Erin Taylor was third in the under-18 1000m race and won the under-20 500.

- NZPA