The opening rounds of the technical category brought plenty of thrills and spills at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Several races went down to the wire as paddlers battled to the finish line when they came off the water and onto the sand for the final few metres.
Spectators were captivated by the penultimate quarter-final of the men’s technical as Japan’s Shuri Araki and Rai Taguchi went head-to-head.
Taguchi gave his all but it was Araki, last year’s silver medallist and one of the favourites for the title, that emerged in first place, winning by 0.80 seconds.
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“I messed up the start a little bit but after that I felt very good so now I am just focused on the semi-finals and the final,” said Araki.
“The wind picks up in the afternoon here so it was very choppy and a bit difficult but I love these conditions.
“I know 100 per cent that there are more levels there.”
Taguchi said: “It was a high-level heat so I am very happy to get second place and now I need to save my power as I have entered three categories and then I need to give more.”
Spain demonstrated their strength in the technical races as Aaron Sanchez Quetglas won the first quarter-final before Sergio Cantoral edged compatriot Manuel Hoyuela in another close finish.
It has been a strong start to the competition for Cantoral who posted the quickest time in the men’s sprint quarter-finals on Wednesday.
“I was really looking forward to this tournament which is the biggest event of the year so I am really happy to have qualified to the semi-finals of the sprint and technical,” said Cantoral.
“Manuel is incredibly fast, he’s amazing and is one of my best friends. We are competing against each other but this doesn’t mean that we are against each other outside of the water.
“I feel good, I feel ready so let’s see what happens tomorrow in the sprint.”
The last quarter-final was won by Donato Freens of The Netherlands as he cruised into the semi-final.
Duna Gordillo will be aiming to deliver gold for Spain as she looks to retain the women’s technical crown.
The Spanish paddler moved through to the semi-finals with a time of 6:08.35 but looks set to face competition from compatriot Alba Alonso Frey who clocked 6:04.56 in her quarter-final.
Japan also looked strong in the women’s technical with Natsumi Baba taking top spot in the first quarter-final, while Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera showed good form.
Rivera is searching for her first world crown after missing out on gold in the women’s long distance at last year’s World Championships in Sarasota.
“I’m happy with the course, it was really good with a lot of buoys,” said Rivera.
“I train in Puerto Rico so there is more wind and waves there so I am used to these types of conditions.
“I feel confident so I am here to put my training into action.
“I got silver in the long distance last year so I am aiming for gold.”
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Related links
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- Araki, Paris and Kraitor among SUP stars seeking world titles in Abu Dhabi
