Years of work came down to just six minutes and 38 seconds on the water for Brock University rowers Keithan Woodhouse and Charles-Étienne Tabet (BBE ’26).

Woodhouse and Tabet powered to gold in the men’s double at the 2026 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Rowing Championships, held Aug. 13 to 15 in London, Ont.

The championships brought together 300 student-athletes from more than 20 countries and marked the first time the FISU World University Rowing Championships has been held in Canada. Tabet and Woodhouse beat 11 other crews, representing some of the strongest rowing nations, on home water to earn their spot as new world university champions.

Brock rowing coaches Katie Bruggeling and Scott Anderson also worked with Canada’s FISU women’s eight and women’s four crews; and Kinesiology master’s student Kristina Harris competed with Canada’s women’s eight team, which finished fourth.

Harris, Woodhouse and Tabet were all coached by Bruggeling and Anderson and trained out of Brock throughout the year and leading into the championships. Woodhouse, who is now heading into his final year as a Kinesiology student, and recent graduate Tabet, who is entering Brock’s Master of Business Economics program, began rowing together in the double in April.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Charles and Keithan. To see two Brock Badgers step onto the international stage and become world champions is an incredible achievement,” Bruggeling said. “As a true university crew that trained out of Brock to prepare for the championships, they embodied the work ethic and commitment our team is so well known for. They’ve shown strong character and leadership throughout the past year.”

For Anderson, the gold medal represents another step in the development of two student-athletes who have steadily progressed through the sport.

“Both Charles and Keithan have grown tremendously in all aspects of their development as athletes and people. I’ve seen them progress from good high school rowers into successful provincial and Canadian university crew members, national team representatives, and now World University gold medallists,” he said.

The FISU result also continues an impressive summer for Woodhouse and Tabet. On Aug. 8, the pair finished second at the 142nd Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines, posting a time of 6:16.14.

Anderson believes their international success can have an impact well beyond the podium.

“I’m hopeful that younger athletes who are considering where to attend university and continue rowing will look at Brock as a destination where they can develop and compete at a high level,” he said.