Brahim Guendouz of Algeria has won the International Paralympic Committee’s Breakthrough Award.
Held every two years, the Para Sport Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions across the Paralympic Movement.
In 2025, the IPC received over 200 nominations for 11 categories recognising achievements during the eligibility period from 1 May 2023 to 31 March 2025.
Guendouz etched his name in African Paracanoe history, capturing the continent’s first gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
In what was Algeria’s Paralympic debut in the sport, Gendouz struck gold in the men’s KL3 at Paris 2024, beating Australian silver medallist Dylan Littlehales and Brazil’s Miqueias Elias Rodrigues, who won bronze.
The 26-year-old started Paracanoe in 2017 and joined the ICF’s Talent Identification Programme in 2019.
He won Africa’s first-ever World Championships medal in 2023, in the build-up to the Games.
“I am incredibly happy and deeply honoured. Winning such an award means a lot to me. It’s not only about personal recognition but also about representing Algeria and Africa on a global stage,” Guendouz said.
“My performance at the Paralympic Games was the result of years of hard work, faith, and perseverance.
“That victory was not just for me, but for every young African athlete who dreams of breaking barriers and showing that nothing is impossible.”
“My heartfelt congratulations to Brahim for receiving this prestigious award from the International Paralympic Committee,” ICF President Thomas Konietzko said.
“His groundbreaking achievements, including the historic Paralympic gold medal as Africa’s first in the discipline, is not only a personal triumph but also a powerful inspiration for athletes around the world, particularly those across Africa.
“I am proud to say that he is a product of the ICF’s Talent Identification Programme (TIP), which shows what can be achieved when people with talent get the right guidance.
“We look forward to witnessing his continued success and his important role in inspiring a new generation of paddlers worldwide.”
“Congratulations to Brahmin for a well-deserved award,” ICF Paracanoe Committee Chair John Edwards said.
“The first gold medal for Algeria and all of Africa in Paracanoe is a remarkable accomplishment.
“We hope Brahim has a long career so he can inspire many more athletes from the region. Thank you to the IPC for recognising his achievement with this prestigious award.”
“Congratulations to the 11 exceptional winners of the Para Sport Awards. Your achievements on and off the field of play have deservedly received global recognition and are a testament to the power of Para sport to break barriers and transform lives,”IPC President Andrew Parsons said.
“These awards celebrate not just excellence in performance, but leadership, advocacy, and the commitment to inclusion. Thank you for showing what is possible and for helping us build a more inclusive society through Para sport and the Paralympic Movement.”
Related links
