Australia’s Curtis McGrath and Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs secured emotional golds on their return to the global stage at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Brandenburg.
After almost two years away from the sport, McGrath and Wiggs marked their long-awaited returns with victory in the German city.
As well as Wiggs’ gold, Great Britain also celebrated a one-two in the women’s VL3 when Charlotte Henshaw overcame Hope Gordon, while Georgia’s Serhii Yemelianov clinched men’s KL3 gold.
Click here for live startlists and results from Brandenburg
Four-time Paralympic champion McGrath staged a stunning fightback to edge Brazil’s Fernando Rufino de Paulo on the line in the men’s KL2 final.
It was a thrilling race as McGrath found himself trailing after Rufino and Italy’s Christian Volpi got off to flying starts.
McGrath had it all to do but came roaring back to win in 44.98 as Rufino had to settle for silver in 45.35.
Uzbekistan’s Azizbek Abdulkhabibov came through for bronze in 45.55, edging out Great Britain’s David Phillipson.
“It’s been an emotional day as I lost a friend so this one means a bit more,” said McGrath.
“There is a bit of work to do but it’s nice to be here and paddling on a new course. It’s great to see everyone again.”
Emma, the triple Parlaympic gold medallist, also struggled to keep a lid on her emotions after a stunning victory.
Back in international competition for the first time in more than 600 days, Wiggs showed no signs of rustiness.
Wiggs powered to victory in in 1:05.48 as Canada’s Brianna Hennessy secured silver in 1:06.50. AIN-B paddler Anastasia Miasnikova earned bronze in 1:08.97.
“It’s just unbelievable relief but also surprise,” said Wiggs.
“I just wasn’t sure if I would be back being competitive and certainly not on the podium or winning. It’s been such a tough couple of years so I’m unbelievably grateful to my family and to the team that have supported me.
“It means a lot. It’s been a brutal experience. Knowing that people have got your back is something that is really powerful. Sport is such a positive place to be when you are having a tough time, so I m grateful to my teammates and everyone who kept that positivity when I struggled to see it.”
The much-anticipated dual between British stars Henshaw and Gordon took centre stage in the women’s VL3.
Henshaw bounced back from her defeat to Gordon at last year’s World Championships in Milan to win the title in Brandenburg.
The three-time Paralympic champion stormed home in 1:01.74 for victory as Gordon took silver in 1:04.83 and Canada’s Erica Scarff clinched bronze in 1:05.59.
It was Henshaw’s second gold in two days after winning the women’s KL3 title on Saturday.
“The secret is coming in and not feeling any pressure,” said Henshaw.
“I have carried on in this sport as I want to enjoy moments like this and getting to race with the girls.
“I can use all my experience of elite sport to perform when it matters.”
Yemelianov strengthened his grip on the men’s KL3 as he cruised to victory.
While Yemelianov stormed to the title in 44.14, there was a thrilling battle between Brazil’s Miqueias Elias Rodrigues and New Zealand’s Finn Murphy.
It was a dead heat for second as Rodriques and Murphy both sealed silver in 44.91.
Pictures by Tom-Lucas Hinz
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