Great Britain excelled on the last day of paracanoeing competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Charlotte Henshaw and Emma Wiggs finished one-two in women’s KL2 event, while Laura Sugar took gold in KL3 final. Jack Eyers won silver in men’s VL3 event. In men’s VL3 final Ukraine’s Vladyslav Yepifanov took the gold medal.
Exciting competitions at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium came to an end with exciting finals. Great Britain finished top of the medals table in Paracanoe with four golds and four silvers. Two of the titles were won by Henshaw, who backed up Saturday’s success in the women’s VL3 with victory in the women’s KL2. It was the former Para swimmer’s third Paralympic gold in Paracanoe having also won the women’s KL2 title at Tokyo 2020.
“I only did 100m breaststroke when I was a swimmer, so I was always ready and prepared for one race. To come into a Games knowing that I have got a busier schedule, it was going to be really tight. We have been preparing for that for more than just this year. The dream was to stand on the top of the podium for both of them and I can’t believe that’s what has happened,” said Henshaw.
Her compatriot Emma Wiggs grabbed silver medal and Germany’s Anja Adler sealed bronze.
Laura Sugar took gold medal in women’s KL3 event, Nelia Barbosa delivered medal for France with silver, while Germany's Felicia Laberer secured bronze. “It’s not the best conditions but I know I’m capable of some really fast times, I’ve just not quite had the conditions to do it. It doesn’t matter about times really on the day, it just matters about beating everyone else. But I’m really happy to improve that Paralympic Games best. We train in Nottingham in the UK, a little bit of wind doesn’t faze us, we’re not afraid of that. It’s just managing it and doing your race process, and then dealing with whatever happens during the race,” said Sugar.
In women’s KL1 final Ukraine’s Maryna Mazhula took silver and Germany’s Edina Mueller of Germany had to settle for bronze. The gold medal went to Chile with Katherinne Wollermann.
In men’s VL3 final Ukraine’s Vladyslav Yepifanov took the gold medal ahead of Great Britain’s Jack Eyers, while New Zealand’s Peter Cowan claimed bronze. “I didn't expect this. I'm surprised and everything is good. I will not stop, and I plan to have two more gold medals,” said Yepifanov.
Source: https://www.canoeicf.com/news/henshaw-completes-double-great-britain-shine-paracanoe-paris
8.9.2024
