Paris 2024: Ones to Watch in Para canoe

With the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games well and truly in the final stages, our Sport Weeks provide you with the perfect guide to each of the competitions being contested in France. To round off this week, here are the athletes to look out for in Para canoe this summer. 

Brianna Hennessy (Canada)

After switching from wheelchair rugby to Para canoe during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Canadian made an instant impact at her debut Worlds in 2022, winning silver and bronze in the VL2 and KL1 divisions respectively. Paris 2024 will be her second Paralympic Games. 

Charlotte Henshaw (Great Britain)

The multi-talented Brit originally competed in Para swimming, winning silver and bronze at London 2012 and Rio 2016 respectively. Since switching to Para canoe in 2017 she has become the dominant force in the women’s KL2, winning every world title since 2018 and the Paralympic crown at her third Games in Tokyo. 

Peter Pal Kiss (Hungary)

The man to beat in the KL1 division, Kiss became the youngest Paralympic canoe champion in Tokyo at the age of just 18. The 2024 Hungarian Para athlete of the year has been a sensation in the sport since winning his first world title in 2019 aged 16.

Scott Martlew (New Zealand)

Martlew made history as the first Para canoeist to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics at Rio 2016. He has since added four world championship medals to his collection as he heads to Paris in search of his first Paralympic podium in the men’s KL2.

Maryna Mazhula (Ukraine)

The Ukrainian powerhouse has dominated the women’s KL2 at Worlds level with five golds. After winning silver at Tokyo 2020 she is aiming to upgrade to Paralympic gold for the first time in Paris.

Curtis McGrath (Australia)

The Para canoe legend won his tenth world title in 2023 after returning from a year-long break from the sport. The three-time Paralympic champion is ready to defend his KL2 and VL3 titles in Paris.

Fernando Rufino (Brazil)

The Brazilian is nicknamed the ‘Steel Cowboy’ after bouncing back from a self-confessed 80 accidents during his life to become a four-time world champion. At Tokyo 2020 he added Paralympic VL2 gold to his impressive trophy haul and is out to defend that title in Paris.

Susan Seipel (Australia)

The former Para dressage rider is a three-time women’s VL2 world champion. She has notched up bronze and silver at her two previous Paralympics in Rio and Tokyo and will be hoping to complete her medal set this summer.

Giovane Vieira (Brazil)

The Brazilian is a medal contender for Paris after pulling off a huge surprise at Tokyo 2020, when he claimed a stunning silver in the men’s VL3 on his Paralympic debut.

Katherinne Wollermann (Chile)

Chile’s first Paralympic sprint canoeist has been a consistent presence on the world and Paralympic women’s KL1 podium since 2017. The two-time Paralympian will be aiming to upgrade her bronze from Tokyo 2020 in the French capital this summer.

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website.