Ben Sainsbury claims maiden world title at ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Canada

WAIS scholarship holder Ben Sainsbury has continued his rapid rise in paracanoe, winning gold in the VL1 200 at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Canada.

The 21-year-old only made his international debut earlier this year, has now progressed to the top of the sprint to be crowned the World Champion.

“The nerves were crazy on the start line, I could feel the butterflies in my throat, but I knew we’d put the work in and I can’t thank my coaches enough. To come away with the win, I couldn’t be happier,” Sainsbury said.

“There’s always that little voice in the back of your head that warns you not to expect too much on your first time.”

A former wheelchair basketball athletes, he was enticed by WAIS coaches to give paracanoe a go, with the establishment of the paracanoe program.

“I fell in love with it from day one, I ended up leaving basketball to come to this, and I think it’s a great result,” he said.

An elated Sainsbury admitted he wouldn’t be standing on top of the podium had it not been for the huge support team behind him.

“Thanks to the WA Institute of Sport, without their help I would be nowhere.”