Lucky 13 for Paralympic legends Emma Wiggs and Curtis McGrath
With two years to go until the LA28 Paralympic Games, the 2026 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships delivered five days of exciting races, dramatic finishes and memorable performances 01 Sep 2026
Thirteen proved to be the lucky number for Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs and Australia’s Curtis McGrath as they returned to the top of the podium at the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships.
The two Paralympic legends each secured the 13th world title of their careers on 30 August, the final day of competition in Poznan, Poland.
The 2026 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships delivered five days of exciting races, dramatic finishes and memorable performances. With two years to go until the LA28 Paralympic Games, Para athletes continued to raise the bar.
Lucky 13
It was an emotional victory in the women’s VL2 for Wiggs, who was sidelined throughout 2025 following shoulder surgery.
McGrath, who also missed last season, overcame his own adversity to win men’s VL2 gold little more than a month after being hospitalised with shingles.
A day after missing out on a podium finish in the women’s KL2, Wiggs bounced back in style to capture the world title.
“What a race,” said Wiggs. “I was devastated to miss the podium yesterday.
“That’s the first time in my career that I had not been on a podium, but I have bever taken anything for granted.
“Thirteen can be some people’s unlucky number but that’s my 13th world title and I’m just feeling very grateful and so thankful to my support team, my wife and the family.”
Four-time Paralympic champion McGrath edged Brazil’s Fernando Rufino De Paulo by just 0.03 seconds to secure the men’s VL2 crown.
“It was a tough race out there, some really hot competition,” said McGrath. “Well done to all the other competitors that pushed me all the way. I need to work on those starts.
“It’s special to win a world title but the big prize is down the road in LA so we are working towards that.”
Great Britain’s Hope Gordon also enjoyed a memorable final day, winning the women’s VL3 title less than 16 hours after securing KL3 gold.
Haxton makes history
Team USA’s Steven Haxton produced one of the standout performances of the championships, becoming the first man to break 50 seconds in the VL2.
Haxton stormed to the world title in a world-best time of 49.71.
“Unreal, I’m very disoriented,” Haxton said after the race.
“I have been chasing Rufino and Igor for more than a decade. I have been on the low end of the podium with these guys for a long time so you don’t want to get your hopes up for.
“To compete with this field and get a good outcome I am obviously lost for words.”
Henshaw's comeback story
There was also a remarkable comeback story for Great Britain’s Charlotte Henshaw, who had been hospitalised with a leg infection just 10 days before the World Championships.
Despite fears she would miss the event, Henshaw recovered in time to claim an eighth world title in the women’s KL2.
“Of all my world titles I have won that one probably means the most,” said Henshaw.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be here a week ago.
“Huge thanks to my team that got me here.
“I was in hospital 10 days ago so this means a lot.
“It’s a testament to the years of work that we put in. If you got something in your mind, sometimes special things can happen.”
Meanwhile, China’s Yi Pu defeated Paralympic champion Vladyslav Yepifanov to win the men’s VL3 title, while Hungary’s Peter Kiss and Chile’s Katherinne Wollermann successfully defended their KL1 crowns.
Please visit the Paddle Worldwide website for more information about the World Championships
