Kuldeep Keer, the chief coach of India's Canoe Slalom team, is a man of few words.
“The goal is simple, prepare and win,” he said when asked about the future after a successful outing at the 2025 Asian Canoe Slalom Junior and U23 Championships in Rayong.
The continental event in Thailand saw India win seven medals, including a U18 women's C1 silver from Pallavi Jagtap and a U18 kayak cross bronze medal from Bharti Kewat.
However, as Keer put it, there is always scope for improvement as he targets the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games among other competitions.
India has won just two medals in canoeing at the Asian Games, with both coming in Canoe Sprint — Johnny Rommel and Siji Kumar Sadanandan clinched bronze at the Hiroshima 1994 edition in the men's canoe double 1000m.
Twenty-nine years later, Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam secured another third-place finish in the same event at the Hangzhou 2022 Games.
Keer hopes to change that record on Japanese waters.
“It is always a great feeling when you win medals. It rewards the athletes' hard work and proves their preparation was right. The most important takeaway is that it is always better to be prepared,” he said.
“No matter how good you are, you can always be better. We are looking forward to the ICF Junior and U23 World Championships this year, and the Asian Games next year.”
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The achievements of these athletes in Thailand, the majority of them training in Madhya Pradesh, are inspiring as the country does not have an artificial Canoe Slalom course.
For many of them, the transition was tricky but also a valuable lesson on what to expect at international events.
“It is always good to be back in Thailand and race. It is important to keep track of the gates and flow path to design a personal trajectory map,” Radhesh Yadav, who won the U18 C1 team bronze medal, said.
For some of them, the International Canoe Federation's Talent Identification (TIP) camp held before the competition was a game-changer.
“The TIP camp was very helpful in polishing form techniques and the importance of synergy between a boat, paddle, and body. The process is simple. I need to work on sharpening my technique and learning from what was taught in the recent TIP camp,” Jagtap said.
“It is important to practice in the artificial course because competitions are happening there, and I would be better prepared. With the help of my coach, I will return as an improved athlete and win medals.”
The Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Association voiced ambitious plans to improve its performances at junior and senior levels and unlock the nation’s true potential.
Recently, athletes from the country underwent high-performance testing at the Inspire Institute of Sport, a private training centre that supports Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra among others.
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“We hope the tournament in Thailand can be a new beginning. There is a lot of talent and interest in the sport here. With the right formula, India can be a powerhouse in Asia and hopefully, the world,” Dr Sumant Kulshreshtha, the High-Performance Director of the Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Association (IKCA), said.
"India’s remarkable performance at the Asian Canoe Slalom Junior and U23 Championships in Thailand is a testament to our rising potential in the sport. As we push for excellence, India is committed to developing world-class infrastructure, including an artificial Canoe Slalom track, to nurture future champions on the global stage. The journey to the podium continues!" added Prashant Kushwaha, President, IKCA.
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