Charlotte Henshaw clinches 12th world title after hospital stay

Charlotte Henshaw, a double leg amputee and three-time Paralympic champion, captured her 12th para-canoe world title in Poznan, Poland, less than two weeks after a hospital stay for cellulitis in her leg. The infection left her unable to train on the water before the event, yet she dominated the KL2 200m final, finishing over three seconds ahead of the field for her eighth win in that distance and adding four VL3 titles to her record.

Henshaw said the victory meant the most because she had not expected to be there a week prior, emphasizing the need to rely on experience when preparation is disrupted. She posted on Instagram that the recent health scare shifted her focus from rankings to long-term limb health. Teammates also performed well, with Hope Gordon taking gold in the KL3 200m and Stuart Wood earning bronze in the men's VL3 event.