The Olympic gold medallist Mahe Drysdale has failed to reach the single sculls semi-final at the World Rowing Championships in South Korea.
Drysdale needed a top three finish in his quarter-final to advance in the regatta, but faded in the final 500 metres to finish fourth.
The five-time world champion is battling for fitness after taking a break following last year's Olympics and suffered a setback last week when he injured his ribs in a bike accident.
New Zealand's other crews didn't fare much better with the women's eight missing out on a spot in the 'A' final and the lightweight single sculler Duncan Grant also failing progress.
