Canoe 2018 Ones to Watch announced

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced the Ones to Watch ahead of the 2018 Para Canoe World Championships set to take place from 22-26 August in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal.

These are the athletes who have the potential to make headlines at the sport’s biggest competition outside the Paralympic Games. They include Paralympic and world champions, and their full biographies are available on the IPC website.

Luis Carlos Cardoso (BRA)

Determined to make up for disappointment at his home Paralympics in 2016, when he just missed the men’s KL1 podium.

Jeanette Chippington (GBR)

Paralympic swimmer who returned to the water to become Paralympic champion in canoe, winning the women’s KL1 in 2016.

Curtis McGrath (AUS)

Continues his winning KL2 form since Paralympic and World Championships golds in 2016. Also watch for him in the Va’a boats, which have been added to the Tokyo 2020 programme.

Amanda Reynolds (AUS)

Women’s KL3 prize is hers for the taking after biggest rival in Great Britain’s Paralympic champion Anne Dickins retired.

Susan Seipel (AUS)

Continues to remain a podium contender, not just in the women’s KL2 but also VL2.

Markus Swoboda (AUT)

Multi-world champion who can challenge Curtis McGrath in the men’s KL2 division.

Emma Wiggs (GBR)

Successfully switched from sitting volleyball to canoe after London 2012, winning the women’s KL2 in the sport’s Paralympic debut in 2016.

Serhii Yemelianov (UKR)

Emerged as the surprise gold medal winner at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and remains the boat to chase in the men’s KL3.

Jonathan Young (GBR)

Broke through for the biggest win of his career at the 2017 World Championships with gold in the men’s VL3.