Multiple world champion Liudmyla Babak of Ukraine and Denmark’s rising star Philip Knudsen are among the marathon paddlers that will be competing in Bazhong.
The Chinese city is staging the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Cup from May 23 to 24.
A total of 326 athletes from 41 countries and regions are poised to participate over the next two days of competition.
The elite group includes 132 paddlers from 27 nations and regions, with 84 of those international and 48 domestic.
Babak, the seven-time world champion, is the leading name in the field as she seeks success on Chinese waters.
The 29-year-old has previously tasted victory in China when she captured the women’s canoe single crown at the World Championships in 2019.
In Bazhong, Babak will lock horns with Hungary’s Giada Bragato who ended the Ukrainian’s long winning streak to strike gold at last year’s World Championships in Gyor.
Hungary’s squad also includes the likes of Panna Csepe, Lili Sara Matkovics and Panna Sinko.
Ukraine’s European champion Olena Tsyhankova, Australia’s Rebecca Mann and South Africa’s Saskia Johanna Hockly are among the other top international athletes that will look to star in Bazhong.
In the men’s competition, Knudsen, the two-time U23 world champion, is poised to represent Denmark.
He is set to face a challenge for the men’s K1 titles from Great Britain’s European champion James Russell and World Games silver medallist Nico Paufler of Germany.
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