Born: 1990 (Queenstown, Otago)
Teneale Hatton (born 13 January 1990 in Queenstown, Otago) is a New Zealand flatwater canoer. Hatton has two older brothers and moved from her hometown, Queenstown, to Auckland at the age of five. She attended Carmel College and as of 2012 studies at the University of Auckland. She is 1.68 metres (5 ft 6 in) tall and weighs 63 kilograms (139 lb). She is coached by four-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Ferguson. As well as canoeing, Hatton has competed in surf lifesaving events; she won four medals, three gold and a bronze, at the 2009 Australian surf lifesaving championships in Perth. She combines competing with work as a paramedic.
In terms of her canoeing career, Hatton made significant strides early on. At the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, she won the gold medal in the women’s K-1 1000 metres event and a silver in the 500 metres event. She followed this up with a bronze medal at the World Cup regatta held in Szeged, Hungary in June 2009, where she competed alongside Lisa Carrington in the women’s K-2 1000 metres event. Hatton and Carrington then achieved further success, winning the gold medal in the same event at a World Cup regatta in Vichy, France in May 2010.
Hatton and Carrington’s collaboration continued to yield outstanding results. At the 2010 Oceania Canoe Championships, they won three gold medals, triumphing in the 500 and 100 metres K-2 events. Additionally, they were joined by Rachael Dodwell and Erin Taylor to claim victory in the K-4 500 metres. Notably, the pair became the first New Zealanders to reach a World Championship A final at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Pozna, Poland. Their semifinal time of one minute 42.365 seconds meant they were the third fastest qualifiers in the K-2 500 metres. However, they finished ninth in the final. Hatton also participated in the women’s 500 metres K-4 crew, which finished in eleventh position at the Championships.
Her accomplishments and talent led to Hatton’s selection to represent New Zealand at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. She competed in the women’s K-1 500 metres event between 7 and 9 August at Eton Dorney, finishing in 15th place. This Olympic experience further motivated Hatton to push herself and excel in her sport.
In 2014, Hatton made history by winning the K-1 1000 m event at the World Championships, becoming only the second non-European to do so. She achieved a championship record time of 3:49.423, solidifying her status as one of the best in her field. Hatton’s dedication and continued success have made her an inspiration to aspiring athletes in New Zealand and around the world.
Outside of flatwater canoeing, Hatton also competes in ocean canoe racing, where she won the 2015 Senior World Title. Her versatility and determination have allowed her to excel in multiple disciplines within her sport.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, K-1 1000m, 2014 World Championships
– Gold Medal, Women’s K-1 1000m, 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival
– Silver Medal, Women’s K-1 500m, 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival
– Bronze Medal, Women’s K-2 1000m, World Cup regatta, 2009 Szeged, Hungary