The dream of representing New Zealand at the Rio Olympics could become a reality for young Tauranga canoeist Callum Gilbert.

The 20-year-old canoeist won gold in his favoured K1 and silver in the C1 class at the 2016 New Zealand Open held at Mangahao near Palmerston North over the weekend.

Tauranga canoeist Callum Gilbert won gold in the K1 final and silver in the C1 final at the 2016 New Zealand Open held over the weekend. Photo: Canoe Slalom NZ

This year's opens also doubled as race three and four for selections of the NZ Olympic Canoeing Team. And with only one spot per class up for grabs – his K1 final result couldn't have come at a better time.

Gilbert had a clean run of 99.12 seconds, pipping Olympian Mike Dawson by just 1.05 seconds during the K1 final which took place on Sunday.

While Dawson's flat time of 98.17 seconds was faster, a gate touch added a two second penalty which handed Gilbert the gold.

'It's an awesome feeling and really exciting, I'm still buzzing over the result as I really look up to Mike,” says Gilbert.

'In our sport it's hard to say anything's a perfect run, but mine wasn't bad. It call came together and was enough to come first, so I guess on the day it was a perfect run.”

His gold wasn't a one off either, with Gilbert winning his semis ahead of Dawson and Michael Taylor of Canada earlier in the day.

The first place result also capped off a remarkable day of racing for Gilbert, who also took silver in the C1 class and was the best of the kiwi competitors.

The C1 Men's title went to Canadian Cameron Smedley while NZ number one seed Ben Gibb finished in third.

'That was a great result for me and unexpected as I focus mainly on my K1,” says Gilbert. 'I wasn't really looking to have that result or that run.”

Gilbert's now looking forward to a couple of day's rest before heading to Penrith for the 2016 Australian Open on February 5-7, followed by the Oceania Championships on February 19-21.

He says should results go his way at the Oceania champs he could be one step closer to Rio.

'With my win in the K1 on Sunday, if I'm the quickest Kiwi paddler at Oceania's next month then I have a small chance of going to Rio.

'It was always a long shot for me, because Mike has a lot of experience and is really fast. I didn't think I'd get to this point and there'd be a wee crack in the door, it's really awesome.”