Florida Tech Alumnus Anuar Akchurin to Compete at 2025 World Championships in Italy
By Space Coast Daily // July 14, 2025
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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Florida Tech gold medal canoe specialist Anuar Akchurin will compete in the 2025 World Championships for team USA.
The World Championships will be held in Milan, Italy August 20-24.
The final selection round was in San Diego, where the athletes raced 500 meters against each other. Team USA canoe sprint head coach, Joe Harper, announced the results at the end of the day, and Akchurin was one second faster.
This result places him in the C-2 (canoe double) with Johnathan Grady for the 500-meter event at the 2025 World Championships.
The C-2 500 meters is part of the Olympic program for LA 2028.
“This is just the beginning of the journey — thank you so much for your continued support,” said Akchurin.
Next stop, Milan, for the 2025 Canoe Sprint World Championships.
Originally from Kazakhstan, Akchurin discovered his love for canoeing 11 years ago after watching a competition in person with his father.
Afterward, he enrolled in a free club that taught children about the sport. Not only did he love the challenge canoeing presented, but he also enjoyed spending more time in nature.
While attending Florida Tech, Akchurin pursued his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and continued competing independently in sprint canoeing.
One day, while on the water training, Akchurin crossed paths with professor Paul Cosentino and Florida Tech’s concrete canoe team.
After striking up a conversation, Akchurin was brought on to assist the team as an expert in paddle sports.
While coaching the team, he taught the students proper paddling techniques and team-building exercises to improve overall communication.
