Danelia Price-Hughes was delighted to win silver at the World Rowing Championships in Canada last weekend. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG schoolgirl Danelia Price-Hughes has underlined her potential as a future Olympic medal prospect after she won silver at the 2024 World Rowing Championships in Canada last weekend.
The 18-year-old St Mary’s School Waverley learner claimed an impressive second-place finish in the junior women’s single scull event.
Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, Price-Hughes’ performance in the final was superb, although not quite good enough to topple her rival and champion, 19-year-old Bianca-Camelia Ifteni of Romania.
Her success is testament to her dedication and the expert guidance of the head rowing coach at St Mary’s Waverley, Caitlin Dace, who played a pivotal role in her preparation.
This result marked a significant milestone in Price-Hughes’ rowing career and highlighted her potential for future achievements on the international stage.
Dace said her charge was an exciting prospect for the future.
“She raced the race of her life and standing on the podium, you could see the absolute joy,” said Dace in an interview with former Sascoc (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) reporter Mark Etheridge.
“You would almost believe she’d won gold, she had such a presence,” added Dace, who is also the junior national head coach and co-ordinator. “She is someone to watch. If she decides to, she’ll make waves in the global Under-23 scene and through to the Olympics, if she wants to go that far.
“For me, she’s so successful because of her team. She has really supportive parents.
“There’s so much love in the family, and her growth through the school system was great. She had good coaches, and the freedom to express herself.
“She’s anxious and a perfectionist. She thrives when coaches offer reassurance and clear guidance; she grasps an idea quickly and implements changes quickly.”
Price-Hughes will finish school this year and plans to study to become a biomedical engineer.
“My next big sporting goal is definitely the 2028 Olympics,” she enthused.
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