Wiggs considered retiring before gold in first race for 18 months

Emma Wiggs won gold in the women’s VL2 200m at the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Brandenburg, Germany, recording 1:05.48, more than a second faster than Brianna Hennessy. The victory came after 18 months without paddling, following shoulder surgery after gold and silver medals at the 2024 Paris Games. Wiggs described the win as a mix of relief, nerves, and emotion, saying she doubted she could compete again during rehab. She reported feeling sick on the start line and battling a deep crisis of confidence for 18 months. She has three Paralympic golds, two silvers, and 12 world titles, and she previously suffered nerve damage and paralysis from an unknown virus. She plans to return to kayak and Va’a racing at the European Championships in June in Portugal.

"“It was amazing. It was a real mix, a real rollercoaster of emotion, relief and nerves,” said Wiggs of her win on Sunday. “There's been huge points over the rehab journey where I just doubted we could ever line up again, let alone be competitive.”"

"“On the start line, I just felt really sick and that's not normal for me,” she said. “Normally, I'm able to line up feeling confident that we've done the work we needed to do. And I know that I've done the work, but I think I've been battling with quite a deep crisis of confidence over the last year and a half. That voice has been loud, really loud.”"

"Britain's three-time Paralympic gold medallist Emma Wiggs has spoken of the “rollercoaster of emotion, relief and nerves” she felt when taking victory at her first event in 18 months after considering retirement. It came at the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup, with Wiggs winning gold in the women's VL2 200m event in Brandenburg, Germany. She recorded a time of one minute and 5.48 seconds, over a second faster than Canadian runner-up Brianna Hennessy."

"Wiggs, whose five medals is the most won by any Paralympic canoeist, contracted an unknown virus when she was 18 which caused lasting nerve damage and paralysis in her legs. She hopes to return to both kayak and Va'a canoe racing at the European Championships in June in Portugal."

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