Paracanoe returns to African Championships as stars target LA28 ranking points

Paralympic champion Brahim Guendouz is over the moon as the Kedara Dam in Boumerdes, Algeria, prepares to host the 13th African Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe Championships from 10 to 13 October. 

For the 27-year-old, racing on home waters in front of his loved ones for the first time since winning the coveted men’s KL3 gold medal at Paris 2024 is a dream come true. 

“Racing at home as a Paralympic champion, in front of my family, friends and Algerian fans, is a feeling I’m really proud of. I just want to enjoy the moment and give my best,” he said. 

“It means a lot to me. It’s an important step for Paracanoe in Africa and gives more athletes the opportunity to compete and develop in the sport.” 

Adding to the excitement are the ranking points on offer ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

Guendouz wants to make the most of the opportunity, with a fourth-place finish at the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Montreal his best result so far this season. 

“I want to get the maximum points possible and start the next international season in the best position for the qualification pathway ahead,” Guendouz added. 

A total of 89 athletes from 10 National Federations will be in action at the Kedara Dam this week. 

Joining the hosts, Algeria, are Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa, Tunisia and Senegal. 

Egypt boasts the biggest contingent in Algeria, with 17 participants, including four Paracanoe athletes, followed by the hosts with 15 and Tunisia with 13. 

Among the Egyptian athletes is kayak single paddler Mohamed Ismail.  

Ismail, the defending African K1 1000m champion from Luanda, Angola, was part of Paddle Worldwide’s development programme and is relishing the chance to apply what he has learned at continental level once again. 

 “My target is always qualifying for LA28 and securing the first quota places for Egypt,” he said. 

 “After racing all year alongside champions from all over the world and taking part in the Paddle Worldwide development camp this year, I have improved enough to have the will to win and achieve my target.” 

 South African paddler Esti Olivier is another athlete hoping to defend their titles in the K1 and kayak double events. 

The 2019 African Games champion feels competition is at an all-time high in women’s kayak and hopes to climb the rankings ahead of next season. 

“The primary target is to defend my titles and gain as many points for Olympic qualification as possible in K1 and K2,” she said. 

“The world standard has risen immensely, and securing points—especially in the K1 category—in Algeria is extremely important to remain competitive in the world rankings.”