Challenges spur Curtis
FIVE years to the day after an accident in Afghanistan claimed both his legs, Gold Coast paddler Curtis McGrath has taken to the water at the world paracanoe championships — an elite athlete looking for even greater challenges.
McGrath started his world championship campaign in Racice, in the Czech Republic last night, attempting to defend his kayak and va’a canoe titles.
The now 29-year-old lost both legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while his team of engineers had been searching an unoccupied police checkpoint in the Khas Uruzgan district of southern Afghanistan, on August 23, 2012.
His battleground vow to become a Paralympian complete after he won gold in Rio last year when paracanoe made its Games debut, McGrath is now an elite athlete and one of Australia’s most recognised Paralympians.
McGrath toyed with the idea of adding another sport to his Paralympic repertoire after Rio and looked to be on the path to achieving that when he won the national trunk and arms title before deciding to concentrate on paracanoe only heading into Tokyo in 2020.
And with the possibility of the va’a canoe joining the kayak as a craft for Tokyo, McGrath could yet have two events to concentrate on.
“Rowing for me was a great experience,” McGrath said.
“I enjoyed trying something I had never done before, but the more I looked at my year and schedule the harder it was to find time to fit everything in.
“I competed at the national championships this year and did well but I have had to hang the oar up due to the lack of time I have to fit everything in. My priority will be Paracanoe and if I can manage my time better and I see myself wanting to go backwards for two kilometres I may try again.
“I more like the sound of V1 and K1 champion for Tokyo.”
McGrath will renew his rivalry with Markus Swoboda in Racice in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the titles.
The Austrian was undefeated in the KL2 class before McGrath beat him at last year’s world championships and then again in Rio to take Paralympic gold.
“Markus Swoboda has shown he still has great speed and I believe he will be the one to watch in Racice,” McGrath said.
“I almost feel as though I have a target on my back now.”