2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships
The 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships came to Fanshawe Lake in London, Ont., where Mustangs rowers Aidan Hembruff and Oliver Baker won bronze for Canada.
The 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships ran Aug. 13 to 15 at Fanshawe Lake in London, Ont. It was the first time the international university rowing event had been held in North America, and the Western Mustangs rowing teams shared their home training water with the visiting crews.
More than 300 student-athletes from over 20 countries took part, including six current or former Mustangs. Thirty-four Canadian rowers competed. Italy topped the standings with four gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
Aidan Hembruff, BSc’26, and Oliver Baker, an environmental science student, were part of Canada’s bronze-medal men’s four. They have rowed together as Mustangs for three years. Hembruff called it his first international medal and said winning it on a home course was meaningful.
Mustangs men’s head coach Dan Bechard praised how everyone worked together to make it a truly international event. The opening ceremonies on Aug. 13 were held at Western’s Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and began with a traditional Indigenous dance.
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