It has been a year like no other for the International Canoe Federation, with significant achievements and milestones on and off the water. In the fourth of our season reviews, we look at all the successes and memorable stories in Paracanoe.
Out of Africa
Among the many firsts for paddle sport this year, this one was extra special. Brahim Guendouz's achievement is sure to inspire a generation of athletes in Africa. The Algerian struck gold in the men’s KL3 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a first-ever Paracanoe title for the continent, a year after claiming Africa’s first-ever world medal. Why was it extra special? Because the 25-year-old was part of the ICF's development programme. Guendouz was joined by Senegal’s Edmond Sanka in the men’s KL3 final in Paris, while Salwa Ahmed marked Egypt’s Paralympic debut by finishing ninth in the women’s KL2, underlining the progress of the sport in Africa.
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One Sport For All
Another proud moment in Paris was when the women’s VL3 made its Paralympic debut to ensure gender equality. Thanks to the new event, 50 female and 50 male paddlers competed in Paris. Aligning with one of ICF's key values, this pivotal moment was needed to send a strong message of equality in sports. Superstar paddler Charlotte Henshaw of Great Britain took the opportunity in style, cruising to the first Paralympic title in the category.
Magnificent McGrath
Heading into Paris 2024 as a 12-time world champion and a three-time Paralympic gold medallist, there was nothing left for Curtis McGrath to prove. The Australian, however, had one tiny person to make proud as he sat on the flight. Leaving home a month after embracing fatherhood, McGrath ensured his son Monty, who was born with a heart condition and had to undergo surgery immediately, would grow up with fond memories of his dad racing towards his fourth gold medal at the Paralympics in the men’s KL2. The cherry on the cake was the 36-year-old being reunited with the soldiers who saved his life when he stepped on a landmine and lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan.
Global Sport
If it wasn’t clear Paracanoe is global sport before Paris 2024, it surely is now after the Paralympic Games. At the Vaires-Sur Marne Nautical Stadium, all five continents featured on the Paralympic medal table for the first time, with Great Britain finishing first with four golds and four silvers. Joining Algeria in a first medal at the Games was China’s Yongyuan Zhong, who claimed bronze in the women’s VL3. There were also medals for New Zealand and the United States. Kiwi Peter Cowan added to the Oceania haul with a bronze in the VL3 on his debut and American Steven Haxton impressed again, adding a VL2 bronze to his silver from Tokyo 2020.
British Might
As far as celebrations go, it was a tie between the Wolverine-themed moustaches from Brazilian best mates Fernando Rufino de Paulo and Igor Alex Togalini who won men's VL2 gold and silver, respectively, and Chilean Katherinne Wollermann's sensational splash after the women's KL1 that forced the rescue crew into action. However, the medals table belonged to the British once again. After the women's VL3, Henshaw retained her KL2. Hope Gordon marked her debut with a silver in the former category, while Emma Wiggs also defended her VL2 title. After five appearances at the Games and the second time in Paracanoe, Dave Phililipson finally stood on the podium. Laura Sugar won KL3 gold while Jack Eyers picked up a silver in the men's VL3. Great Britain also topped the medal standings at the ICF Paracanoe World Championships held in Szeged earlier.
