Henshaw wins world title days after hospital stay
Charlotte Henshaw won her 12th Para-canoe world championship in the KL2 200m in Poznan, just 11 days after being treated for cellulitis. She finished more than three seconds ahead of the field. Hope Gordon also took gold for Britain in the KL3 200m.
Henshaw, a double leg amputee who moved from swimming to Para-canoeing in 2017, has now collected eight world titles in the KL2 distance alongside four in the VL3 class. Her recovery from the bacterial leg infection was so tight that she could not train on water before travelling to Poland, and she admitted she doubted she would even make the flight. Teammate Hope Gordon secured her first KL3 world crown after previously winning twice in VL3, while Stuart Wood added a bronze in the men's VL3.
Henshaw's victory could resonate beyond sport, offering a visible example of athletic achievement following a serious medical setback. For people managing chronic conditions or recovering from infections, her performance may serve as a reminder that preparation is not always linear. It could also reinforce the depth of British Para-canoeing, potentially inspiring greater grassroots participation and public interest in disability sport ahead of future Paralympic cycles.