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Four-time Paralympic gold medallist Curtis McGrath has been named by Paddle Australia as part of the Australian team to compete at the 2026 Paracanoe and Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznan, Poland from August 26 to 30.
The team will take a wealth of international experience into the season’s pinnacle event, featuring Paralympic, Olympic and World Championship medallists alongside athletes continuing their rise on the international stage.
Following a strong World Cup campaign earlier this year, highlighted by multiple podium performances, Australia’s athletes will now turn their attention to the World Championships as they continue building momentum on the road to LA2028.
McGrath headlines the team at his first major event since winning gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, alongside 2023 World Champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist Dylan Littlehales.
Fresh from two World Cup gold medals already this season, Ben Sainsbury will be looking to better his silver from 2025 World Championships and finish his season on top of the podium.
In the women’s Para canoe, Emily Paix and Susanna Wills are set to compete at their first World Championships, alongside Amy Ralph, who has progressed quickly in canoe after transitioning from elite swimming.
“Swimming gave me a good base coming into Para canoe,” Ralph told Paralympics Australia earlier this year. “It helped me build a strong engine, but also discipline, resilience, and how to stick with something over time.
“Mentally, I’ve always loved sport, so that mindset made it easier to throw myself into a new challenge.”
Mentally, I’ve always loved sport, so that mindset made it easier to throw myself into a new challenge.
Paddle Australia High Performance Director Brendan Purcell said the team had shown encouraging signs throughout the World Cup season.
“We’re pleased to confirm our Canoe Sprint and Para canoe teams for the World Championships and reward athletes who have put together strong performances throughout the international season,” Purcell said.
“The World Cups gave us a valuable opportunity to test ourselves against the world’s best and we’ve seen promising progress across a number of crews and events.
“This group continues to build depth and experience and we’re looking forward to seeing athletes transfer those lessons onto the World Championship stage.
“The World Championships are always one of the most competitive events on the calendar and an important step in the journey towards LA2028. We know this team will wear the green and gold with pride.”
The World Championships are always one of the most competitive events on the calendar and an important step in the journey towards LA2028. We know this team will wear the green and gold with pride.
AUSTRALIAN TEAM
Para canoe:
Men
Women
Canoe sprint/Sprint kayak (non disabled):
Men
Women
By Paddle Australia and Paralympics Australia
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