2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships – Day 2

ICF SUP World Championships Abu Dhabi 2025 – Day 2

The opening rounds of the technical category brought plenty of thrills and spills at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Several races went down to the wire as paddlers battled to the finish line when they came off the water and onto the sand for the final few metres.
Spectators were captivated by the penultimate quarter-final of the men’s technical on Thursday as Japan’s Shuri Araki and Rai Taguchi went head-to-head.

Taguchi gave his all but it was Araki, last year’s silver medallist and one of the favourites for the title, that took first place by 0.80 seconds.

Spain demonstrated their strength in the technical races as Aaron Sanchez Quetglas wonthe first quarter-final before Sergio Cantoral edged compatriot Manuel Hoyuela in another close finish.

The last quarter-final was won by Donato Freens of The Netherlands as he cruised into the semi-final.

Duna Gordillo will be aiming to deliver gold for Spain as she looks to retain the women’s technical crown.

The Spanish paddler moved through to the semi-finals with a time of 6:08.35 but looks set to face competition from compatriot Alba Alonso Frey who clocked 6:04.56 in her quarter-final.

Japan also looked strong in the women’s technical with Natsumi Baba taking top spot in the first quarter-final, while Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera showed good form to advance.