New Zealand kayaker Aimee Fisher has won gold on the final day of the world canoe sprint championships in Denmark after "the hardest 12 months" of her career.
Aimee Fisher reacts after crossing the finish line in the women's K1 500 in Denmark. Photo: AFP
Fisher has won the women's K1 500 in the absence of reigning champion Lisa Carrington, finishing almost a second clear of Olympic silver medallist Tamara Csipes from Hungary and Denmark's Emma Jorgensen.
The Rio Olympian made herself unavailable for Tokyo after a falling out with Canoe Racing New Zealand.
"It's been the hardest 12 months of my life I think, but at the same time it's been so beautiful," Fisher said.
"I've met so many incredible people and the team that I have behind me back home I wish I could see them all.
"They were definitely with me in that race. I'm just the driver of a Formula One car you know. I've got this incredible team that deserve to be on that podium with me so thank you to everyone back home.
"That was so special. It's just special for everyone back home. It's a win for all of the people on my team."
Photo: AFP
Fisher, 26, walked away from the national squad late last year and took charge of her training programme.
"It's been tough. It's definitely had its moments where I wanted to walk away and give up and didn't think I could do it.
"It's like the icing on the cake to come here today and show to myself I can do this.
"I've been writing my own programme and just doing it differently...It's very liberating to have so much ownership of my sporting pursuits."
Aimee Fisher has yet to commit to the Paris Olympics in 2024.
"I don't even know right now," Fisher said. "I feel like I've made it to the end of this chapter.
"Go home, reset, reflect and make some decisions about the future but for now I just want to enjoy this moment."