Oranje is the new bronze, German engines, return of Britain: Canoe Polo 2025 season review

Oranje is the new bronze 

It was a historic World Games for the Dutch. Before coming to China, their best-ever finish at the Games was fifth in the United States. That changed in Chengdu thanks to some brilliant players like Alisha Van Den Berg and Wendy Huizinga, among others, led by coach Sytse van der Zwan. The fact that the team were there via crowdfunding makes their story all the more impressive. With a crushing 9-2 win over Italy, the country won its first-ever bronze medal at the Games.  

German engines roar in Chengdu  

Two finals, two gold medals for the Germans. However, signs of this were evident from the very first match in Chengdu. Such was the dominance of Germany in the Canoe Polo competition in China that any other result would have been an upset. The men’s team defeated Italy 3-1, defending their title from four years ago in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It was also their fourth gold medal in a row at the Games. The women’s team enjoyed their redemption in China after a fifth-place finish at the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships. In the final, they beat New Zealand 4-0 to win their fourth gold medal overall at the multi-sport event.   

Return of Great Britain  

The stories from Chengdu do not end with Germany and the Netherlands. Once a powerhouse, Great Britain’s last hurrah at The World Games came when the sport made its debut in 2005 in Duisburg, where they won bronze. Since then, the men’s team had not competed in the Games until Chengdu. And when they finally did, it was a memorable return, edging debutants Denmark 3-2 to win their second bronze medal. The team also delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament when Shivan McCutcheon scored a goal from halfway against France to send them to the medal matches. 

First of many  

With the aim of elevating the standard of the game in Asia, a Level 1 ICF Canoe Polo Coaching Course was held for the first time in Malaysia. While referee courses have happened in the past, this was a new beginning in the search for good coaches to lead the future generation. A total of 25 participants attended the course. The module touched upon basic skills, technique, tactics, and practical drills, with some special skills videos that were recorded by Mario Perez Lopez and the ICF Canoe Polo during the 2024 World Championships. Led by Mario Perez Lopez, the ICF Canoe Polo Committee recorded skills videos with athletes at the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing, China. There was also a session by Dr Mehregan Kheirollahi, a professional exercise physiologist, around the topics of motor learning and physiological demands.  

Community spirit 

When Poland withdrew from hosting the European Canoe Association (ECA) Canoe Polo European Championships, France kindly stepped in. One way or the other, paddle sport community steps up and delivers. It was a fantastic tournament that saw Germany and Spain triumph in the senior women’s and men’s categories, respectively. The French also made the most of the home advantage, winning at least one medal in each category. 

Copyright by IWGA/The World Games 2025.