Brazil’s Paracanoe paddlers just couldn't stop winning as they captured four medals on the final day of races in Montreal to take their total tally up to eight including four golds.
Fernando Rufino De Paulo led the victory charge, collecting his second gold day in consecutive days at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup.
Compatriot Gabriel Porto also emerged victorious, while the medal haul also contimued for Great Britain.
Emma Wiggs and Hope Gordon claimed a gold medal each to cap off a successful weekend.
Gordon secured her second victory, while Wiggs upgraded silver to gold on the final day of races.
After an even start across the lanes, Brazil’s double Paralympic champion Rufino emerged as the frontrunner to claim gold in the men’s KL2 200m.
Rufino finished in 42.01, followed by his compatriot Flavio Reitz in 42.24 to complete a Brazilian 1-2.
“I'm very happy to be with my great rivals, and Brazil is also coming in strong. I think the biggest rivals are already in Brazil, so we have to keep our heads focused for 2028,” said Rufino.
“I think an athlete's greatest achievement is reaching the podium and sharing it with their rivals; once we're out of the water, we are on equal playing field.
“Winning a battle, a war, means you’ve won; it means a sweet victory. And I shared that sweet victory with my training partners, with my teammates in the water - nothing but sweet victory.”
Chile’s Franco Gutierrez completed an all-South American podium in 42.34.
There was another Brazilian one-two in the men’s KL3, as Porto won gold in 40.04, as compatriot Miqueias Rodrigues took silver in 40.50.
“Last time, we missed out on a medal by a tiny margin, finishing in fourth place; this time, however, I managed to take first place. It is very gratifying. I’d like to thank the Brazilian Confederation, all my family members, and my wife,” said Porto.
“The big secret to the success of this team is the management, the coach, who do such a great job with the athletes.
“Athletes are the investments, and we are living up to the expectations.”
Spain’s Juan Vale beat Paralympic champion Brahim Guendouz of Algeria to the podium, bagging the bronze in 40.83.
Wiggs upgraded yesterday’s silver to a gold after flying out the gates in the women’s VL2 200m final.
The five-time Paralympic medallist battled her way to the top of the podium after finishing in 57.76.
"Winning silver yesterday and gold today feels amazing. Like Hope said, you never take anything for granted,” said Wiggs.
“I've really struggled with my confidence this year, and that's something I've battled throughout my career, but especially this season.
"It's been really satisfying to deliver when it matters. I'm hoping I can take confidence from these performances, although we still have a lot of work to do over the next five weeks to keep building.
"It feels really good to be back on the podium after the injury setbacks. Results like these help quiet some of those self-doubts, although in some ways that lack of confidence also pushes me to leave no stone unturned in my preparation.
"I'm incredibly grateful for this sport. It's changed my life, and I love seeing it change other people's lives too. It's also fantastic to see new faces and new nations competing. The sport just keeps getting stronger and stronger."
Home paddler Brianna Hennessy secured silver in 1:01.97, as Brazil’s Debora Benevides earned bronze in 1:03.33.
The golds wouldn’t stop coming for Great Britain, as Gordon powered to victory in the women’s VL3.
After taking gold in yesterday’s finals, the world champion showed she was in a league of her own as she crossed the line in 55.29.
“You never get used to standing on the podium. In our sport, you can never take anything for granted,” said Gordon.
“I just try to approach every race by giving the best performance I can, and if I do that, hopefully the results will come.
"Now that this World Cup is over, I can turn my attention to powerlifting [at the Commonwealth Games]. It's come around pretty quickly because this event is so close to it, but I'm really looking forward to it.
“It's a personal goal of mine to represent Team Scotland, and I think it'll be a great experience that I'll always remember. At the same time, I'm not losing sight of the World Championships [in Poznan] coming up.
"I'm feeling optimistic about Poznan. I'm not listening to any negative talk about the conditions; we're expecting them to be good.
“We haven't really had the fastest racing conditions so far this year, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get out there and race on fast water."
France’s Elea Charvet took silver in 58.43, as Canada’s Erica Scarff secured bronze in front of a home crowd in 58.71.
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