Sinković Brothers Win Silver at Golden Oar Regatta, Cheered on by Croatian Community

Croatian rowing legends Martin and Valent Sinković have once again made their mark on the Australian sporting scene, winning a silver medal at the 2026 Golden Oar Regatta in Canberra. The brothers proudly represented Croatia alongside some of the world's leading rowers.

The celebrated Croatian duo competed at the prestigious international rowing festival, held from October 30 to November 1 on the Black Mountain Peninsula at Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

The event attracted Olympic and world championship medallists from around ten countries, with more than $200,000 in prize money on offer, making it one of the major events on the international rowing calendar.

For Martin and Valent, the Canberra regatta marked a return to Australian waters following their appearance at the inaugural Golden Oar Regatta in 2025. Their participation once again attracted considerable interest from the Croatian community, which turned out to support the two Olympic champions.

Silver medal for Croatian champions

One of the highlights of the regatta was the Open Mixed Quad Sculls final, in which the Sinković brothers competed as part of a composite crew representing HAVK Mladost, alongside Australian Olympic rowers Tara Rigney and Laura Gourley.

The crew delivered an impressive performance to secure second place and the silver medal. A crew representing the Western Australian Rowing Club (WARC) claimed gold, while Melbourne's Mercantile Rowing Club finished third.

The 2026 regatta also introduced its first Open Mixed Pairs event, giving the Sinković brothers the unusual opportunity to compete against each other in this format for the first time.

Warm welcome from the Croatian community

The brothers' visit also provided an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and strengthen ties with the Croatian community in Australia.

In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Australia and New Zealand expressed pride in the brothers' participation and congratulated them on their outstanding result.

The Embassy described the occasion as:

"What an incredible weekend celebrating Croatian sporting excellence and national pride!"

Ambassador Betty Pavelich, Embassy staff and prominent members of the Croatian community gathered to welcome the brothers, who have won three Olympic gold medals each, at the Embassy.

The Embassy also thanked the Croatian community for its support, enthusiasm and strong sense of togetherness, highlighting the bonds that continue to unite Croatians, regardless of how far they live from their homeland.

"You have once again reminded us that no matter how far we are from home, the Croatian heart beats just as strongly," the Embassy said.

Martin and Valent Sinković are among Croatia's best-known sporting figures. Their extraordinary achievements, dedication and continued success on the international stage remain a tremendous source of pride for Croatians at home and abroad.

Their appearance in Canberra was not just a celebration of world-class rowing, but also a reminder of how sporting achievements can bring communities together and strengthen Croatian identity across generations.