History was made in Gyor, Hungary as the first-ever Paracanoe world champions were crowned over marathon distances.
Paracanoe paddlers showed great endurance on the water as they completed the 6k and 10k courses.
Germany’s Anja Adler and Moritz Berthold, Great Britain’s Jeanette Chippington, Austria’s Markus Swoboda, Canada’s Mathieu St-Pierre and Poland’s Katarzyna Kozikowska etched their names in the history books with gold medals.
Click here for live startlists and results from Gyor
Chippington, a Paralympic gold medallist, clinched the women’s KL1 6k title in a time of 35:03.52.
Willemijn Raaijmaakers of the Netherlands picked up silver after clocking 40:52.57. Canada’s Lyne Tremblay finished in 44:50.98 for bronze.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful and I’ve just learned so much,” said Chippington.
“I just enjoy learning new things. The start is very different, our boat numbers are different. I’m expecting to get on the startline seen one to nine but we don’t have lanes so it’s been a huge learning curve.
“To be world champion and one of the first as well is amazing.”
Adler won women’s KL2 6k gold in a time of 32:29.23 as she got the better of home favourite Katalin Varga.
The Hungarian had to settle for silver in 33:04.75 as France’s Agnes Legroux claimed bronze in 34:32.63.
“It means a lot to me as it’s my first marathon race and to be here at the World Championships is a great honour,” said Adler.
“It was a completely new experience for me but I knew from my training that I am the type for endurance.
“Before my accident, I was a race walker for 20k so I was happy to be here and to show that I could do marathon.
“I am happy.
“I am so thankful for the whole staff as they gave supported me a lot.
“It’s fantastic to see so many Paracanoe athletes here competing and shows the development of the sport and I hope it will continue like this.
“A great thanks to the ICF to support Paracanoe in marathon, it’s a great pleasure for us and opportunity.”
Berthold secured Germany’s second Paracanoe title of the day when he came out on top in the men’s VL1 6k.
He triumphed in 42:52.32, while Poland’s Jakub Szpak got the other place on the podium after finishing in 48:14.01.
Swoboda emerged victorious in the men’s VL3 10k, posting a winning time of 53:31.78.
Spain’s Javier Reja came second in 54:13.53 with Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Zakhar Nazarenko claiming bronze in 54:34.78.
“This year is especially special for me as I was sick for much of the season and I couldn’t compete at all,
“It’s a very good feeling to stand on top of the podium, especially as marathon being recognized as an official medal event.
“I have always loved racing the marathon as it’s more technical than just giving it all in the 200m.”
St-Pierre captured the men’s VL2 10k crown in a time of 55:00.99 as Italy’s Marius-Bogdan Ciustea came second in 59:02.06 and Great Britain’s Shaun Cook earned bronze in 1:02:07.
Poland’s Katarzyna Kozikowska swept to the women’s KL3 6k title in 29:22.08 as Spain’s Araceli Menduina sealed silver in 29:25.61 and Hungary’s Nikoletta Molnar bagged bronze in 34:03.17.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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