Paralympic Games
The British paracanoe team ended the competition topping the table with a record-breaking eight medals , the greatest return from the sport ’ s three appearances at the Paralympic Games .
Glorious Paralympic Golds for Emma Wiggs , Charlotte Henshaw & Laura Sugar
Charlotte Henshaw and Emma Wiggs got the British paracanoe team off to a golden start as they were again crowned Paralympic champions on the first day of the finals .
Emma Wiggs dug deep to retain her Paralympic title in the women ’ s VL2 , the only woman to duck under a minute to win in 58.88 seconds and to become a three-time Paralympic gold medallist . Charlotte Henshaw capped off a brilliant day as she won the first-ever women ’ s VL3 final at a Paralympic Games , leading from start to finish to victory ahead of team-mate Hope Gordon .
On the final day , Charlotte Henshaw retained her title in the women ’ s KL2 to become the first British paracanoe athlete to win two gold medals at a Paralympic Games . Emma Wiggs secured her second medal of the games , taking silver . Laura Sugar joined the gold rush by brilliantly retaining her own title in the women ’ s KL3 and claiming a fourth gold medal for Paralympics GB .
“ It hasn ’ t quite sunk in but I am proud to get on the podium . We are well prepared for the conditions because we train in Nottingham .” – Laura Sugar .
Superb silver , first-time Paralympic medals for Dave Phillipson , Hope Gordon & Jack Eyers
Former wheelchair tennis player Dave Phillipson won the first Paralympic medal of his career at his fifth Games and second in paracanoe , with a brilliant performance for silver in the men ’ s KL2 final .
Beijing 2022 . Hope also competed in the women ’ s KL3 , finishing fifth .
The final medal for Paralympics GB was won by Jack Eyers , who secured silver in the men ’ s VL3 at his debut Games . Jack powered into the lead after the halfway stage and was neck and neck as the finishing line approached , taking silver just 0.08 away from gold .
“ The goal was always to start paracanoe and become a Paralympian . I have done European and World Championships and now a Paralympics . I ’ ve got the set .” – Jack Eyers
Finals booked across the board
Jeanette Chippington , appearing at her eighth Games , took an agonising fourth place in the Women ’ s VL2 . Racing again in the Women ’ s KL1 , she pushed all the way , ultimately placing seventh .
There was a sixth place for Rob Oliver in a hotly contested men ’ s KL3 final . As Algeria ’ s Brahim Guendouz surged ahead for gold , it was too close to call between five paddlers , with Rob unfortunately missing out in the photo finish , just 0.14 off bronze .
Ed Clifton marked his Paralympic Games debut with an appearance in the men ’ s VL2 fina l . Despite the difficult cross-winds , the Chelmsford paddler tackled the conditions with everything he had to place seventh in the final .
Hope Gordon made it a British one , two in the women ’ s VL3 , by claiming the silver medal . A sensational debut at her first Paralympic Games in paracanoe , having competed in para Nordic skiing at paddleuk . org . uk 59