The 2024 International Canoe Federation Kayak Polo World Championship is set to take place from October 15 to 20 in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province. Approximately 800 top athletes from 27 countries and regions will participate in this prestigious water sports event, which includes four categories: men’s open, women’s open, U21 men’s, and U21 women’s.
On October 12, a press conference was held in Deqing County to announce the championship. Wang Meng, the Minister of Development for the Chinese Canoe Association, remarked, “Hosting the Kayak Polo World Championship in China provides an excellent opportunity for local audiences to watch and learn. We hope that this event will help identify a group of outstanding young athletes and establish a talent selection mechanism for the development of kayak polo in China.”
Kayak polo boasts a rich history and is one of the key competition events within the International Canoe Federation, also featuring in the upcoming 2025 Chengdu World Games. The sport is known for its competitive spirit and thrilling pace, making it highly appealing to water sports enthusiasts, especially in Europe and North America.
Hong Yanyan, Deputy Director of the Deqing County People’s Congress, highlighted that prior to this championship, Deqing had already gained extensive experience in hosting professional water sports events, such as kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as local dragon boat races. The successful organization of the 2019 Kayak Polo Asian Cup significantly raised the area’s profile both domestically and internationally. With this championship, Deqing is poised to promote itself as a unique destination that combines sports and tourism.
“This event serves as an essential platform for kayak polo athletes to compete and exchange ideas, marking an unprecedented opportunity for the development of kayak polo in China and across Asia,” said Zhong Xing, the event director. He emphasized that the championship will significantly enhance communication and cooperation within the kayak polo community on an intercontinental level, playing a vital role in the sport’s global growth.
