About Emma Wiggs

Emma Wiggs MBE is a triple Paralympic gold medal winner and twelve-time World Champion paracanoeist in the women’s 200m KL2 and VL2 classes.

About Emma Wiggs

Emma Wiggs MBE is a triple Paralympic gold medal winner and twelve-time World Champion paracanoeist in the women’s 200m KL2 and VL2 classes.

Since a mystery virus impaired her mobility in her legs, Emma has fought her way to the top, dedicating herself to the mastery of, not just one, but two sports. Emma competed in sitting volleyball at London 2012 before choosing to challenge herself by switching to the high-speed sport of paracanoe, where she continues to dominate on the world stage. Emma won gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio in the KL2 event and gold and silver at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo in the VL2 and KL2 events respectively, in addition to her record ten World Championship golds achieved since 2013.

Now a trailblazer for the sport in the UK and the paracanoe community around the world, Emma’s achievements were recognised in the 2017 Queen’s New Year Honours list, where she was awarded an MBE for her services to canoeing. Emma has since joined forces with fellow elite athletes and the Women’s Sports Trust to challenge the lack of diversity in sports bodies at senior and boardroom levels as part of the ‘Unlocked’ initiative.

Emma’s success in Tokyo was also record-breaking, as she became the most decorated female paracanoeist at a Paralympic Games of all time, and the only female paddler to medal in both the Kayak and Va’a races at the same Games.

Off the water, Emma spends her time delivering inspirational speeches to senior businesspeople about overcoming challenges and applying her learning as well as the attitude and mental resolve that she attributes her success to in the workplace.

Emma’s success in Tokyo was also record-breaking, as she became the most decorated female paracanoeist at a Paralympic Games of all time, and the only female paddler to medal in both the Kayak and Va’a races at the same Games.

Off the water, Emma spends her time delivering inspirational speeches to senior businesspeople about overcoming challenges and applying her learning as well as the attitude and mental resolve that she attributes her success to in the workplace.