IPC – Australia made a clean sweep of all three Para canoe gold medals on offer on the second day (24 August) of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) 2017 World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.
Competition is being live streamed on the ICF’s website and runs until Sunday (27 August).
Among the winners was Paralympic gold medallist Curtis McGrath, almost five years since the day he stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan and lost both his legs.
McGrath retained his world title in the men’s 200m KL2 with a time of 41.758 seconds, beating out Austria’s Markus Swoboda (42.508) and Ukraine’s Mykola Syniuk (43.281).
“There’s a bit of significance, but it’s just a sub-thought to what really matters on the start line,” McGrath said.
“I like to think I get out there and make the most of the opportunities that I’ve got. There’s a lot of guys that are going through a tough time back in the military and outside the military with their post-traumatic stress and what’s happened to them in their service.
“So if I can show that getting out there and getting active leads to a positive and healthy life, it’s the least I can do really.”
Rio silver medallist, Amanda Reynolds, and Rio bronze medallist, Susan Seipel, were Australia’s other winners in perfect racing conditions.
Reynolds (50.344) said she was relieved to paddle a strong race in her final after a disappointing semi-final on Wednesday.
