There have been many memorable moments in a sensational International Canoe Federation season. In the seventh of our moments of 2024, we look back at when Algeria’s Brahim Guendouz made history with Africa’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal.
From winning a world medal to becoming a Paralympic champion, Algeria’s Brahim Guendouz has become a trailblazer for the sport in Africa.
Before August 2023, an African paddler had never got on the podium at the ICF Paracanoe World Championships let alone tasted success at the Paralympic Games.
That was the case before Guendouz changed all that thanks to his incredible performances in Duisburg and Paris.
Even getting to the Paralympics as an athlete from North Africa felt like a “faraway dream” for Guendouz but he dared to dream and made it come true.
After sealing a quota place for the Games courtesy of his men’s KL3 bronze at the 2023 ICF Paracanoe World Championships, Guendouz headed to Paris with the goal of creating more history.
View this post on Instagram
Australia’s Dylan Littlehales, Brazil’s Miqueias Elias Rodriques and Spain’s Juan Antonio Valle Gallardo lined up in the final aiming for success.
But none of them could match the rapid pace of Guendouz who swept to victory in 39.91 – the only athlete to go sub-40 seconds.
It was an historic moment for Guendouz and Africa with Senegal’s Edmond Sanka also featuring in the final.
Both paddlers have benefited from the ICF’s Talent Identification Programme with Guendouz joining 2019 after taking up the sport in 2017.
“It’s incredible to be honest and I know this medal will make a big jump in my country and Africa generally to develop our sport,” said Guendouz.
“I know there is a lot of talented athletes right there, but they are waiting for the right moment and right opportunity.
“If they have the right people, as I have, they will be in the same place that I am sitting in right now.
“This is Algeria’s first participation and first gold medal.
“I know that in the next years, our sport will be developed more, especially in Africa because there are a lot of good athletes over there.
“We have two Africans in the final and that is something to be proud of.”
Related links
