Susan Seipel hasn’t competed internationally for nearly two years but she hasn’t let that hamper her golden goal
Three-time world champion Susan Seipel has eyes only for gold in Tokyo after the inclusion of her pet event to the Paralympics schedule.
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Australia’s first-ever para-canoe medallist has plans to triple her Paralympics medal tally when she tackles the VL2 and KL2 disciplines in Tokyo next month.
Tallai’s Susan Seipel made history in Rio when she claimed bronze in the KL2, before fellow Gold Coaster Curtis McGrath went on to win gold in the men’s KL2.
The pair will combine once more in Tokyo with gold again on offer and for Seipel in particular, the inclusion of VL2 to the Paralympics schedule is cause for celebration.
The 35-year-old is a three-time world champion in the canoe outrigger discipline, which was left off the Rio schedule in the sport’s Paralympics debut but returns in time for Seipel to chase a coveted gold medal.
“I think everyone in the race wants gold, don’t they? It’s why we race,” she said.
“I would be very happy with gold – two gold would be ideal.”
Seipel claimed gold at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 world championships and silver in 2019.
Due to Covid-19, she hasn’t competed on the international stage in almost two years.
“There’s a lot of unknowns as to how the other countries and athletes have been affected in the lead-up (to Tokyo),” Seipel said.
“It’s hard to know the form of all the athletes.
“I guess it’s a little more stressful because we haven’t had the international competitions that some other countries have had, so I guess it’s probably a disadvantage (for me) as I haven’t been able to compete on the world stage.”
But for the Ipswich-born athlete just getting to compete again is her number one priority.
“It definitely hasn’t been detrimental to have the extra year (to train),” Seipel said.
“It’s been a long time between races, and something I really love about the sport is the racing and the travelling.
“I’m just really grateful the Games are going ahead and I hope Australia can get behind us like they did the Olympians and just enjoy the show.”
Seipel and the four-strong para-canoe team flies out on August 27.
Competition runs from September 2-4.
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Originally published as Susan Seipel hasn’t competed internationally for nearly two years but she hasn’t let that hamper her golden goal
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