Henshaw powers to double gold on the European stage
Charlotte Henshaw stormed to two gold medals on Saturday at the European Sprint and Paracanoe Championships in Montemor.
The three-time Paralympic gold medallist pipped teammate Hope Gordon by just 0.15 seconds to clinch the VL3 200m title in her first race to get the ball rolling on a bumper day for British paddlers.
Despite being the Paralympic champion, Henshaw had to fend off last year’s European and world champion Gordon, who pushed her all the way, finishing in 53.49 seconds.
Then in the afternoon, Henshaw returned to the water, besting another Brit, Emma Wiggs, in the KL2 200m to repeat the double from the Brandenburg World Cup earlier this year. It was Wiggs’ first kayak final appearance since 2024.
Henshaw said: “It was a tough race. I’ve had a busy old day as Saturdays go. It was about digging deep, trusting my engine and trusting the training that even though it might not be pretty, I can dig in and get the job done. I’m grateful that my arms stuck out for another 200m.
“It’s a real privilege to still be here in my 10th year racing at para canoe, racing with the girls. It’s great to have them back on the start line after a two-year gap of having two Brits in the KL2 finals.”
Gordon said: "I knew it was going to be a good race between the two of us and we pushed each other on the whole way. I think there is a lot more to come as well, which is the exciting part."
Wiggs added: "It's unbelievable. If you had offered me a place in the top five before the race, I would have taken it, so it is a wonderful surprise to be here.
"It has been a really long road and I am really grateful to everyone who has believed when I haven't."