Paralympic Champ Charlotte Henshaw Eyes 6th Games at 39

Charlotte Henshaw has spent nearly two decades at the top of Paralympic sport, and now she's determined to enjoy every second of it.

The 39-year-old from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, will compete at the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Poznan, Poland, from August 26-30. She's heading there as a three-time medalist from the 2024 Paris Paralympics, with her eyes already set on what would be her sixth Games in Los Angeles 2028.

"I've achieved everything there is to achieve and I wanted to remove the pressure of competing," Henshaw said at a media day at Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre. "I'm very conscious of trying to embrace and enjoy what I've worked at for years."

Henshaw's Paralympic journey started in Beijing 2008 as a swimmer. After retiring from the pool in 2016, she picked up a paddle in 2017 and discovered a new passion in paracanoe racing. The transition meant learning to love the gym and building explosive power, a dramatic shift from her swimming days.

Training at the same water sports center where she did work experience as a student at All Saints Catholic Academy brings extra meaning to her achievements. "I'm always proud to represent Nottinghamshire," she said. "One of the big draws for me to come across to canoeing from swimming was that I could train in my home county."

The shift to paracanoe has given her more than just medals. It rekindled her love for competitive sport in a way she didn't expect.

Why This Inspires

After Paris 2024, Henshaw faced a question many champions ask themselves: why keep going? Her answer reveals what truly drives elite athletes. "It was less about winning and more about how we do it," she explained. "I believe there's more in there and that's the challenge."

She credits National Lottery funding for making her dreams possible without compromise. Thanks to people buying tickets, she can travel the world and compete at the highest level. She also values the supportive network she's built over 18 years, people who bring out her best and keep her motivated through cold winter training sessions.

Henshaw will compete alongside fellow Paris champion Emma Wiggs and silver medalists Hope Gordon and Jack Eyers at the World Championships. Together, they represent Great Britain's strength in paracanoe, a sport transformed by increased visibility since London 2012.

At 39, with nothing left to prove, Charlotte Henshaw is racing for the pure joy of seeing what she's still capable of.