Papke had better success at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships where he won eleven medals. This included three golds (C-1 1000 m: 1981, C-2 1000: 1990, 1991), three silvers (C-1 500 m: 1983, C-2 500 m: 1990, C-4 1000 m: 1991), and five bronzes (C-2 500 m: 1985, 1986; C-2 1000 m: 1987, 1993; C-4 1000 m: 1995).