Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs and Australia’s Curtis McGrath both won second gold medals and there were also wins for Uzbekistan, Italy and Russia on the final day of competition at the ICF Paracanoe World Cup in Szeged, Hungary.
Wiggs triumphed in the KL2, McGrath in the new Paralympic event, the VL3, Uzbekistan’s Shakhnoza Mirzaeva in the women’s KL3, Italy’s Marius Ciustea in another of the new Paralym;ic events, the men’s VL2, and Russia’s Alexandra Dupik took gold in the women’s KL1.
“Those conditions out there were pretty tough for us, so I’m chuffed to be on the podium again, and to be on there with Charlotte is just what we’re aiming for,” Wiggs said.
“It’s been a real challenge, but in a good way. We’ve been using it as a real training week and a chance to see what it would be like racing the two events.
“I’m fatigued, but we are all fatigued.”
Henshaw, who only recently came across to paracanoe after a successful career in para swimming, was thrilled with the silver medal.
“I’ve only been in the sport for 18 months, and it’s a real learning curve for me,” Henshaw said.
“I know I’ve got to be on my game, and to have the best in the world lined up next to me, and the fact we are wearing the same jersey is really special.”
McGrath had to dig deep on Friday to win gold in the KL2, and he was once again pushed all the way in Saturday’s VL3 final, this time by Uzbekistan’s Khaytmurot Sherkuziev.
“I’m feeling good, but a bit more training would help,” McGrath said.
“It was a really fast call at the start, so a lot of us weren’t set properly, and that last 50 metres, I was really holding on to that paddle, probably a bit too tight, so my arms were filling up with lactate.
“I think due to my preparation leadning in I had to be content that I wasn’t going to perform as well as I wanted to, but it goes back to all those years I’ve worked hard in the V1, and now I’m in the VL3 class it’s a good feeling to race the fastest in this group.”
Italy’s Ciustea is setting his sights on this year’s World Championships, and possibly the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, after winning the V2.
Ciustea broke his back in a skiing accident in 2012.
“I didn’t think I could win, but I’ve been training a lot,” Ciustea said.
“I chose to compete in canoe after a suggestion from my friend, and now I will stay here for the future.
Russia’s Duplik upset Rio Paralympic champion, Jeanette Chippington, to take the gold in the KL women, while Uzbekistan’s Shaknoza Mirzaeva led from start to finish in women’s KL3.
RESULTS
KL1 Women’s 200
- DUPIK Alexandra (RUS) 56.143
- ZAPATA Katherinne Wollermann (CHI) 56.348
- CHIPPINGTON Jeanette (GBR) 56.993
VL2 Men’s 200
- CIUSTEA Marius Bogdan (ITA) 55.110
- DA SILVA Luis Carlos Cardoso (BRA) 55.671
- JUHASZ Tamas (HUN) 57.171
KL2 Women’s 200
- WIGGS Emma (GBR) 48.423
- HENSHAW Charlotte (GBR) 49.118
- NADEZDA Andreeva (RUS) 52.779
VL3 Men’s 200
- MCGRATH Curtis (AUS) 48.903
- SHERKUZIEV Khatmurot (UZB) 49.103
- PHILLIPSON David (GBR) 50.414
KL3 Women’s 200
- MIRZAEVA Shakhnoza (UZB) 48.819
- RIPA Helene (SWE) 50.302
- MOREAU Cindy (FRA) 50.658
