Achievements by the Belgian National Team

The international canoe federation has a world championship every two years. Belgium has been participating against other big countries since 1994. Between 1994 and 2012, there have been 10 championships, and it’s always good to give an overview of what the Belgians have or have not done.

In 1994 the worlds were held in Great Britain with only 2 categories: Men & Women.
Belgium participated with a Men’s team only and ended up 6th out of 18 teams.

In 1996 the worlds were organised by the previous winner (Australia) and a bit far away for the Belgians. No teams were entered for that edition.

1998 meant the return to Europe, and another participation by Belgium.

In 2000, the worlds had become a main event for the Belgian team. Even the edition in Brazil couldn’t stop their participation. The 2000 edition also meant the end of the Australian domination, Great Britain and especially the Netherlands were the new countries to beat.

2002, Germany, meant the addition of 2 new categories, both Men and Women under 21. Belgium started participating in both men and men under 21.

The 2004 edition in Japan lacked the women under 21 category and also Belgium, the distance was again a problem.

In 2006 in Amsterdam, the women under 21 category was not there, but Belgium was. For the first time, competing in 3 categories, Men, Men under 21 and Women.

The 2008 edition in Canada was again far far away, resulting in only 1 Belgiun team: Men’s.

Since the previous edition, the Belgian women team was disbanded because of lack of interest. The 2010 edition in Italy had the Belgian Men’s team and Men under 21. The domination by the Netherlands was broken in this edition.

The 2012 edition saw our Belgian Men’s team and with a last minute wild-card, our Men’s under 21 team.

As a conclusion we see that the best Belgian performance was in fact at the first participation in 1994, from there on, the sub top was the best achievable place for the Men’s team.

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Last reply was January 15, 2013