Sudbury Canoe Club paddler Mikaela Iturregui has won three gold medals as a member of Canada’s National Junior Dragon Boat Team.

She participated at the International Canoe Federation World Dragon Boat Championships held in Milan, Italy from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.

Iturregui, who is a member of the Sudbury Canoe Club Sprint Team and a coach with the club had to perform physical testing in the spring to qualify for consideration to make the team. Following the physical testing, she had to submit a video of her paddling technique for evaluation by Team Canada’s head coach. Once it was confirmed that she had made the team, she had to train on her own to stay in top form for the competition.

Iturregui has been coached locally by Cory Brunatti, Dan Welch and Gergely Lanci. "All three are very proud and excited by the team’s performance with Mikaela’s contribution," a press release stated. The team is representative of paddlers from across Canada and was logistically challenged to train together.

The young rower was also asked to join the Senior Women’s Team for some races in order to strengthen their chance at a medal. Iturregui won medals in the Junior 200, 500 and 2,000 metre Mixed 10 events.

She carries on a tradition of winning as an athlete from the Sudbury Canoe Club. In its 110 years of existence, the club has produced more than 1,000 athletes who have medalled either at the national or international level.