The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins in Hefei, China, as the Asian Canoe Sprint Championships from 24 to 26 April mark the first opportunity for athletes to secure Olympic Ranking Points in the new cycle.
Bringing together some of the region’s top canoe sprint talent from more than 15 countries and territories, the Championships offer an early-season test and a key benchmark for teams aiming to build momentum toward LA28.
Olympic gold medallist Bowen Ji and two-time Olympic champion in the women’s C2, Mengya Sun, headline a strong lineup confirmed for Hefei.
They will be joined on the start line by fellow compatriot Wenjun Lin, a three-time World Championships gold medallist, further reinforcing China's strength in depth.
Kazakhstan also brings an impressive roster, featuring Sergey Yemelyanov alongside multiple Asian Championships gold medallist Viktor Stepanov.
Set between the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, Hefei provides an ideal backdrop for elite competition.
Racing will take place at the Anhui Sports Administration Centre, a world-class venue featuring dedicated training and competition watercourses.
Since 2023, the centre has hosted multiple national-level events and youth training camps, playing a growing role in the development of the sport.
A full programme of men’s and women’s events will be contested, including canoe and kayak singles and doubles over 200m, 500m, 1000m, and 5000m.
The 500m events will also feature K4 races, alongside mixed-gender canoe and kayak double events over 500m.
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