23 nations have earned qualification for next year’s Tokyo Paralympics following the ICF paracanoe world championships in Szeged, with more places still to be filled.

Thirteen nations from Europe, four each from Asia and the Americas, and two from Oceania have all booked their tickets for next year off the back of their performances in Hungary. Last month’s world championships was the biggest on record, with 176 entries from 42 countries.

Paracanoe powerhouse Great Britain dominates the list, with quotas for seven events. Competitors like Australia’s Curtis McGrath who doubled up in Szeged were permitted to only qualify one spot for Tokyo, but will be able to compete in both events at the Games.

Nations will be permitted to have up to two athletes in each event at the Paralympics.

“It’s very exciting to see the growth in our sport since paracanoe made its Paralympic debut in Rio in 2016,” chair of the ICF’s paracanoe committee, John Edwards, said.

“The addition of three new medal events in Tokyo has been an exciting development, opening the door for many more athletes to get the chance to experience the very best international competition.

“In Tokyo we will see many of the stars of Rio return, and we will also unveil new heroes, athletes who will inspire a whole new generation of potential parlaympians.”

Russia has earned five quotas, while Australia, Ukraine, Germany and Brazil, consistently strong paracanoe performers, have each qualified four quotas for Tokyo.

And Japan’s Monika Seryu has guaranteed the hoist nation will have reason to cheer, after qualifying in the women’s KL1.

In total 54 quotas have now been allocated for next year, six for each of the nine events on the paracanoe program. New Zealand and Portugal are set to make their Paralympics debut in canoe.

So far countries have qualified boats for next year’s Paralympics. Each team will now determine which athletes will fill those quotas.

Next year an additional 36 Paralympic quotas will be allocated at the ICF paracanoe world championships in Duisburg.

Find the full list of qualified nations here

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