Reigning Paralympic gold medallist and multiple World Champion Curtis McGrath is confident each member of Australia’s four-person Para-canoe Team for the Tokyo Games – announced on the Gold Coast on Saturday – will benefit from having competed at the Rio Games in 2016.
Para-canoe was introduced as a Paralympic sport for Rio, where Australia won three medals, including gold to former army combat engineer McGrath, who triumphed in the KL2 classification.
The three other Para-canoeists named for Tokyo are AJ Jennings, who won a silver medal in the KL3 in 2016, Susan Seipel, who claimed bronze in the KL2, and rising star Dylan Littlehales, who competed in the KL3 in Rio as a 17-year-old.
“We’re quite a small team but we all debuted at the last Games, which is important and gives us a lot of knowledge about how the Games are going to play out and what to expect when we get there,” said McGrath, who became a double-leg amputee after a mine explosion while he was serving in Afghanistan in 2012.
“We also all went over to the Test Event in late 2019, so we were lucky to have the chance to race on the course and in the same time frame as when the events at the Games will be held. So it’s not going to be foreign to us.
“The place was still under construction when we were there but the buzz was amazing. People were talking about the Paralympics and it was really good to go there, to feel it and see it. It’s a shame the stands won’t be full of people when we compete this time. But it’s all about racing in your own lane and worrying about doing your best.”
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Lynne Anderson commended the Para-canoe squad for their commitment during a difficult past 15 months.
“Qualifying to represent Australia at a Paralympic Games is a major achievement at the best of times. But to do it in spite of the unprecedented obstacles posed by the pandemic is testament to the focus and adaptability of Curtis, AJ, Susan and Dylan, as well as the backing they’ve received through Paddle Australia,” Anderson said.
“It’s that kind of resilience and determination that enables our Para-athletes to reach their optimum levels of performance and it’s another reason I’m very much looking forward to seeing our Para-canoe Team do their best for Australia when they compete on Tokyo Bay between September 2 and 5.”
Australian Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said the Team had the opportunity to reinforce Australia’s growing credentials in Para-canoe.
“Each of the four selected athletes has maintained an elite level of performance despite the lack of international competition over the past year,” McLoughlin said.
“When you add the fact that they’ve each had Paralympic experience to build on since the Rio Games, there is very good reason to be excited about the potential of our Para-canoe squad.
“For now though, it’s just a lovely moment to savour, confirming the selection of another four athletes to the Australian Team for the Tokyo Paralympics.”
Curtis McGrath said: “It’s obviously been a long time coming, with our results sort of being stored away 12 months ago. But, at the same time, everyone’s been affected by Covid and we understand that the situation around the globe is ever-changing and quite challenging. Thankfully, we have the Games in sight now and, having this announcement done is a great hurdle to get over. We’re looking forward to going to Tokyo.
“I’m going pretty well. I’ve been dealing with a bit of a niggle in my arm. But that’s just a sign of the hard work I’ve been putting in, trying to make everything work and push forward towards the Games and be in the best zone possible. The people on the Team have worked equally hard, which is really motivating.
Susan Seipel said: “It’s been a long wait for us. We had our first selection trials back in March last year just before everything went crazy and things were postponed, so we never got to our actual Team selection. We had to redo it this year. So it’s been a long period of just training and training and training. It’s been a very challenging and different lead up to the Games. But luckily it’s all come together and it’s really exciting that it’s actually finally happening.
“I tried to get to the Paralympics in equestrian. I absolutely loved equestrian but I never reached that goal. I decided to take a break from it and then stumbled upon canoe at the right time because it was just before it was introduced into the Paralympics. I didn’t really anticipate I would get there, but I was in the right place at the right time and found that I had some talent in this sport as well.”
AJ Jennings said: “We qualified and then had to re-qualify this year. But, in that year, somebody else came into the sport, so I really had to earn my spot. I think it made me stronger and more excited to have secured the spot.
It really helped me not become complacent and to continue working extra hard.
“We’ve all been in the same boat over the past year or so. Even though we’re from different countries, we’ve all had the same hurdles to get over. I think [results in Tokyo] will really come down to the athletes who’ve been able to stay the most focused. I’m just going to give it everything I’ve got. I can’t wait.”
Dylan Littlehales said: “Originally I was going into Tokyo as a 20-year-old competing against athletes ranging from their mid-20s to early 30s. Having that extra year, for me, at a time when it’s a big development age for kayaking, will make a big difference. Coming in at 21 instead of 20 is a big advantage for me.
“It’s a bit about the technical side. I’ve been working on a few things on the water, just trying to improve on every aspect of my paddling from last season, but I’ve definitely become a lot stronger as well.
“Curtis has been a big part of my career for the last six years now. Having a 10-time world champion to work with is definitely not a bad thing! We’ve been bouncing off each other, he’s taught me a few things and I’d like to think I’ve taught him a couple as well.”
