Rivera Completes Historic Hat-trick at Unforgettable ICF SUP World Championships

Photo courtesy: Planet Canoe

Abu Dhabi, UAE — History was made at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships, as Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera completed a golden hat-trick of titles while Japan’s Shuri Araki and Spain’s Aaron Sanchez Quetglas delivered equally electrifying performances on the international stage.

Over five days of competition in Abu Dhabi — the first time the UAE has hosted the event — the world’s best paddlers battled it out across sprint, technical, and long distance races in blistering desert heat and challenging waters. By the final day, Rivera stood alone in the record books as the first athlete ever to claim three gold medals at a single SUP World Championships.

Photo courtesy: Planet Canoe

Rivera’s golden run: sprint, technical, and long distance supremacy

Rivera’s week began with a career-defining sprint victory before adding the technical race gold in stunning style. In that event, she seized the lead early, pulling clear of Spain’s Alba Alonso Frey and defending champion Duna Gordillo to finish in 5:49.86 — a full five seconds ahead of Gordillo.

“I felt in my zone and did the perfect race,” said Rivera. “I was the first to the first buoy, which was the key. I just felt strong and confident all the way through.”

With two golds in hand, Rivera entered the final day’s long distance determined to make history — and she delivered. Staying patient in the early kilometers, Rivera surged late to overpower the Spanish duo once again, winning in 1:02:04.11 and cementing her place as the undisputed queen of Abu Dhabi.

“I’m living a dream,” she said after crossing the finish line. “I worked for it, I stayed patient, and when I saw the moment, I went for it. To win all three is unbelievable.”

Spain’s Gordillo and Alonso Frey completed the podium — just as they had in the technical final — while Japan’s Rika Okuaki narrowly missed out in fourth. Alonso Frey leaves Abu Dhabi with three medals of her own: silver (sprint) and bronzes (technical and long distance).

Photo courtesy: Planet Canoe

Araki’s redemption and Sanchez’s surge highlight the men’s field

In the men’s events, the storylines were just as fierce. Spain’s Aaron Sanchez Quetglas broke through with a technical masterclass to claim his first world title, defeating 2023 champion Shuri Araki in a nail-biting duel.

After Araki grabbed an early lead, Sanchez refused to fade — unleashing a late burst of power to overtake the Japanese star and cross the line in 5:12.60, with Araki settling for silver at +5.34 and countryman Rai Taguchi earning bronze.

“I feel both very happy and destroyed,” Sanchez admitted after the race. “When Shuri dropped behind, I pushed harder — and suddenly, I had the power to finish it.”

But Araki wasn’t done. Less than 24 hours later, he returned to the water for redemption in the long distance final, holding off Sanchez and Taguchi in a thrilling closing sprint. Araki powered home in 55:45.95, reclaiming the gold and closing the week on a high for Japan.

“That was so tough for me, but a great race,” said Araki. “I lost yesterday, so today I was completely focused. My father designed my new board — it worked perfectly, and I’m so grateful to him and my supporters.”

Taguchi’s late fall cost him a shot at gold, but he recovered for bronze, giving Japan two medals in the event and sealing an outstanding overall showing for the team.

A championship for the ages

From Rivera’s unmatched dominance to Araki’s comeback and Spain’s podium sweep in multiple divisions, the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi showcased the sport’s growing global reach — and the depth of talent from Puerto Rico, Japan, and Spain in particular.

The UAE’s debut as host marked a milestone for the ICF, combining world-class organization with spectacular desert and coastal backdrops that tested every athlete’s skill and endurance.

As Rivera summed it up best: “You train for these moments your whole life. To see it all come together like this — it’s pure magic.”

For full results, heat sheets, and official photos from the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi, visit the ICF official results page.

For more SUP race news, click here.