Paris 2024: Para canoe action starts with big names defending their titles

Para canoe racing kicks off on September 6 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, where 100 athletes will compete over three days. The stadium, surrounded by 450 new trees, also hosted Para rowing.

Athletes will race in ten events on a 200m track using two types of boats: kayaks and va’as. The kayak uses a double-bladed paddle and is faster, while the va’a has an outrigger for balance and uses a single-blade paddle. Para canoe was first introduced at Rio 2016 with only kayak events, and the va’a was added at Tokyo 2020.

Great Britain has been the most successful country in Para canoe over the past three Paralympic Games, winning 12 medals, including six golds. Ukraine and Australia follow with three victories each.

Key Stories in Para Canoe

1. Peter Kiss Aims for a Repeat Hungary’s Peter Kiss, the youngest Paralympic canoe champion from Tokyo 2020, hopes to defend his KL1 gold medal. Kiss, who won his first world title at 16, is aiming to repeat his success from his debut Games. He looks forward to another unforgettable experience in Paris.
2. British Stars Charlotte Henshaw and Emma Wiggs Charlotte Henshaw from Great Britain wants to keep her title in the women’s kayak singles 200m KL2 after winning in Tokyo. Henshaw, a former Para swimmer, has won every world title since 2018. Emma Wiggs, another British athlete, won gold in the women’s va’a single VLT and silver in the kayak single KL2 in Tokyo. She hopes to defend her titles in Paris.
3. Fernando Rufino de Paulo’s Comeback Brazilian Fernando Rufino de Paulo, known as the “Steel Cowboy,” is aiming to defend his VL2 gold from Tokyo. He has overcome many challenges, including numerous accidents, and switched from rodeo bull riding to Para canoe. He won Brazil’s first Paralympic gold in canoeing in Tokyo.
4. Susan Steipel’s Medal Quest Australian Susan Steipel, a former Para dressage rider, has won bronze and silver in Para canoe at previous Games. She is hoping to complete her medal collection with a gold in Paris.
5. Curtis McGrath’s Double Gold Defense Curtis McGrath from Australia made history in Tokyo by winning double gold in Para canoe. He hopes to defend both his KL2 and VL3 titles in Paris. McGrath, who might retire after these Games, is excited to race with fans and teammates cheering him on