Henshaw wins KL2 world gold in Poznan 11 days after hospital stay

Charlotte Henshaw won the KL2 200m final at the Para-canoe World Championships in Poznan, Poland on Saturday, 11 days after being in hospital with cellulitis. She finished more than three seconds clear of the field.

The 39-year-old switched from swimming to Para-canoeing in 2017; she is a double leg amputee and a three-time Paralympic champion in Para-canoeing. Henshaw contracted cellulitis in her leg, was admitted to hospital and, after leaving, was unable to train on the water in the lead up to the championships.

Her victory in the KL2 200m was Henshaw's eighth world title in that event and her 12th Para-canoe World Championship crown overall, adding to four she has won in the VL3 equivalent.

"Of all the titles I've managed to win, that probably means the most because I did not know I was going to be here a week ago," she said. "There's maybe something to be said for taking the pressure off and going out and trusting my body and my experience. "I've been competing at the highest level for an awfully long time and in moments where things aren't going well and the preparation gets swept out from underneath you, you have to draw on every single bit of experience.

Writing on Instagram after her heat on Friday, Henshaw said: "The last week or so has definitely put things into perspective. "It's so easy to get caught up in results, rankings, times and expectations, but when your long-term limb health becomes the priority, those things seem a lot less important."

Team-mate Hope Gordon won gold in the KL3 200m in Poznan on Saturday, while Stuart Wood took bronze in the men's VL3 event. Gordon, who last month represented Scotland in Para-powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games, secured her first KL3 world title after previously winning two VL3 world crowns.

"Eleven days ago, I didn't think I would be on the plane so to come here and compete and then retain my title, I couldn't be happier and it means a lot this one," Henshaw said.