2026 World Under 19 Championships – Plovdiv BUL

A comprehensive set of images of the Australian crews can be found on the Australian Rowing Images website through this link.

The World Under 19 Championships were conducted on 6-9th August 2026 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. 

As it was a non-Olympic year, racing at this regatta was not combined with non-Olympic or U23 events. 

Following a comprehensive selection trial, Rowing Australia selected a limited team of three women's crews, a pair from Melbourne, a quad from Sydney and a four from Perth. The Head of Pathways, Jason Lane, clearly has Brisbane 2032 in mind in his vision for these athletes.

“Competing at Under 19 World Championships provides exposure to an international racing environment, teaches athletes what is required to succeed on the world stage and helps build the skills and resilience needed for future senior success.

“Brisbane 2032 is some years away, but many of these athletes are at an age where they could realistically progress through the Under 23 and Senior systems and be part of Australia's long-term Olympic plans.”

Thompson also praised RA Head of Pathways Jason Lane for the progress he and his team are making in identifying and developing a coterie of athletes that should figure in the selection frame for Brisbane 2032.

“Jason and his team have done a fabulous job this season,” Thompson said. “Reimagining the selection process, creating development opportunities, promoting teamwork and setting challenging standards has laid the foundation for not only this season but for Brisbane 2032.”

Lane lauded the athletes, coaches and staff on this year’s team for their commitment to the Pathways Program, while recognising there is much more work to be done in developing a talent pool of athletes in more boats.

Piper Hallam and Emma Peele after taking bronze

The women's pair raced a superb final to take bronze. They had been beaten in both the heat and semi-final by Romania and faced them for the third time along with the inform other heat winners Italy and Uzbekistan. On paper they should not have medaled. But they attacked the race aggressively leading through the first 1000m. RA reported as follows. 

Lane praised the attitude of the Australian pair to commit to its winning plan and then execute it to the point where they were rewarded with a medal. “Piper and Emma showed exactly the sort of racing attitude we want to encourage,” Lane said. “They had a clear plan to be aggressive from the start, they backed themselves against the world's best and committed to that strategy all the way through the race. “To come away with a World Championships bronze medal is a fantastic reward for their courage, preparation and determination.”

The women's four faced two outstanding fours from Romania and Great Britain and so a self assured approach to racing was required. The Aussies had the hardest path to the finals which just hardened their resolve. They also raced well in the final but could not reach these two crews. The bronze medal was an excellent result.

The women's quad had a tough heat and were off the pace early. There were no opportunities for recovery and without repechages, they missed the semi-final.

Medal Standings

A full copy of the 2026 medal standings can be found through this link. Germany and Romania led the medal tally.