Stuart Wood, the 32-year-old British paracanoeist who won VL3 bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, has arrived in Poznań confident that recent technical adjustments and steadier performances have put him back in the mix as the global qualification process for LA 2028 begins.
Consistency after setbacks
Wood—whose comeback from cancer treatment in 2022 was followed by missing selection for Paris 2024 to team-mate Jack Eyers—says the past two years of changes to his tactics and technique are now taking effect. He wants a strong start in Poland because the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships, held later this month, will award the opening points under the new Paralympic qualifying system.
"It's taken a bit of time for those to really bed in," Wood said when reflecting on his revised approach. He added that this season has felt more reliable than recent years and pointed to solid podium finishes as evidence of that progress.
"Through the winter, it really felt like things started to click, and it's felt good coming into the season."
Those results include silver at the World Cup in Brandenburg in May and further silver medals at the European Championships and the World Cup in Montreal. Wood says such performances have given him belief that, provided he can deliver his best race in Poznań, he will be competitive in a tight field.
What is at stake in Poznań
Beyond individual pride, the Championships represent the first stage in a two-year window of point-scoring events that determine places at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Wood has been explicit that earning points early would place him in a stronger position as the qualification cycle continues.
- Wood is a Tokyo 2020 VL3 bronze medallist seeking to qualify for LA 2028.
- He missed Paris 2024, losing selection to Jack Eyers after his recovery from cancer treatment in 2022.
- Recent season results: silver at World Cup Brandenburg; silver at the European Championships; silver at World Cup Montreal.
He warns that margins are small at elite level. "If I do that, there are going to be at least five or six of us, probably more, who are very, very close," he said, noting the excitement and uncertainty when competitors cross the line almost level with one another.
Implications for Team GB
Wood’s form is encouraging for British paracanoeing overall. Team GB has depth across classifications and events, and early points can be decisive for athletes who want to shape their path to LA 2028 without leaving selection to the final year of the cycle. For Wood himself, the immediate objective is straightforward: produce his best race on the day.
Coaches and selectors will be watching not only raw results in Poznań but also signs that the changes Wood has made—his race plan, stroke technique and start execution—are delivering under championship pressure. A consistent campaign across the coming two seasons would align with his stated aim of building a sustainable qualification position rather than relying on a late surge.
| Season highlights | Result |
|---|---|
| World Cup, Brandenburg (May) | Silver |
| European Championships | Silver |
| World Cup, Montreal | Silver |
| Tokyo 2020 | VL3 Bronze |
Whatever the outcome in Poznań, Wood’s trajectory underscores a broader narrative in elite sport: recovery, adaptation and the incremental pursuit of marginal gains. For an athlete who has experienced both the podium and the disappointment of non-selection, the next fortnight represents both an immediate test and a chance to shape the long road to LA 2028.
