Peter Kiss of Hungary is ready for any challenges that come his way in the men’s KL1, while Fernando Rufino De Paulo of Brazil and Charlotte Henshaw ensured an exciting start to the Paracanoe competition in Milan, Italy.
Kiss was all smiles after registering a dominant victory at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Paracanoe World Championships.
Having set the standard in the event with two Paralympic gold medals, including the title defence at Paris 2024, the Hungarian endured a shock start to the season at the ICF Paracanoe World Cup in Poznan.
Missing out on the gold medal by 0.52 to Brazilian Luis Carlos Cardoso Da Silva was a tough pill to swallow, but in Italy, he showed it was only a minor blip, reaching the final in 45.43.
“I was really looking forward to the race. I needed to be ready for the weather, but there was no rain. It's almost perfect. There are many new faces on the starting line. The first job is done, and I hope I can win the final on Saturday,” Kiss said.
Click here for startlists and live results in Milan
“I didn't see that coming in Poznan, but now I'm prepared for Brazil. I think I can fight back this time. It is always nice racing with Luis.
“It is a bit hard, but I have a good coach and nice people around me, so they help me a lot.”
Da Silva posted the next best time, followed by AIN athlete Aleksandr Ilichev. Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Remy Boulle of France, Robert Suba of Hungary, and Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) paddler Pavel Gromov all reached the final.
For Rufino and the Brazilian team, it was an emotional return to the Idroscalo Regatta Course, where the first-ever Paralympic qualifiers took place 10 years ago.
The occasion was marked in style as Rufino and compatriot Igor Alex Tofalini were the quickest in the two heats in the men’s VL2.
“This is the first important competition after the Paralympic Games. We’re working on putting everything back in place, focusing on technique, keeping our feet on the ground, without too much pressure. We came here to do a good championship and return home with a medal around our neck,” Rufino said.
“My first Paralympic achievement, my first quota, was conquered here - the Brazilian delegation secured its spots here in these waters. That makes this championship very emotional for the whole Brazilian team.
“And with the experience I have now, it’s even more meaningful. When I first came here, I had practically no major achievements. Today, I return to these waters as a three-time world champion and Paralympic champion. So every stroke is filled with emotion.”
Henshaw was no match for the rest of the field in the women’s KL2 and is well on course to stand on top of the podium again.
Fresh from a double gold at Poznan, the two-time Paris 2024 gold medallist is enjoying the newfound freedom and being able to race without the pressure hanging around her neck.
Her timing of 48.55 was far superior to her rivals, with Hungarian Katalin Varga coming closest with 49.90.
“I am pleased to advance straight through to the final on Saturday, so job done in that respect. I think it's really important from both aspects. I think energy management is really important when you’ve got a busy programme. It is all about being smart and trying to manage energy,” Henshaw said.
“There was a big question as to why I was carrying on after Paris because that was like the ultimate dream that I ever had - to win those two gold medals at one Games. The world is moving on, and who knows whether I'll be able to do that again at any competition.
“And so I had to find a reason to carry on. Those two medals are safely in my house, and they're not going anywhere, and that's a really nice feeling, but it also gives me that sense of, what could we push on to do without that kind of weight of that goal hanging over me.
“I kind of want to approach the next part of my career with real freedom and excitement.”
Peter Cowan of New Zealand, Jack Eyers of Great Britain, and Giovane Viera De Paula ensured they did not need a second run, gaining the direct ticket to the men’s VL3 final. In the men’s VL1, AIN athletes Ilya Taupianets and Artur Chuprov stood out.
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