Attila VAJDA (HUN)

HUHungary
Age:
41 years
Federation:
MAGYAR KAJAK-KENU SZÖVETSÉG MKKSZ
Attila Vajda (HUN)

Biography

General Interest

Hero / Idol
Hungarian sprint paddler Gyorgy Kolonics. (ujnemzedek.hu, 26 Nov 2013)
Injuries
In late 2014 he was found to have a blood clot of eight to 10 inches in his left calf. He required treatment to thin his blood and did not return to training for two months. (nemzetisport.hu, 24 Feb 2015; nemzetisport.hu, 04 Dec 2014)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Dare to dream greatness. Believe me, I like to laze too, but this is important to know that you can defeat something again." (vajdaattila.hu, 2012)
Awards and honours
He was named Hungarian Male Flatwater Canoeist of the Year in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. (Facebook page, 13 Aug 2015; szegedive.hu, 01 Dec 2014)

He was named 2008 Sportsman of the Year by the National Sports Federation [NSSZ] in Hungary. (szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, 04 Dec 2014; kajakkenusport.hu, 21 Feb 2009)

He was named 2008 Sportsman of the Year by sports journalists in Hungary. (index.hu, 19 Dec 2008)

In 2008 he received the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary. (szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, 04 Dec 2014)

In 2007 he received a Junior Prima Award in Hungary, given for outstanding performance by a person under the age of 30. (primissima.hu, 18 Sep 2013)

In 2004 he received the Gold Cross of Merit of Hungary. (szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, 04 Dec 2014)
Other sports
He has played football at county level in Hungary for Pusztamerges. (origo.hu, 26 Jun 2011)
Other information
EMOTIONAL VICTORY
After winning a gold medal in the C1 1000m at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he dedicated the victory to Hungarian sprint paddler Gyorgy Kolonics, who had died the previous month. (ujnemzedek.hu, 26 Nov 2013; origo.hu, 22 Aug 2008)

EARLY SCARE
At age seven he suffered a serious injury during wrestling practice after hitting his head on a wooden floor. He had to relearn how to speak, read and write. (Magyar Nemzet, 15 Aug 2007)

Sport Specific Information

When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up the sport at age 10.
Why this sport?
He was inspired to pursue the sport after watching Gyorgy Kolonics win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Club / Team
EDF Demasz-Szeged: Hungary
Name of coach
Viktor Vecsi [personal], HUN; Marton Sik, HUN; Gaspar Boldizsar, HUN; Botond Storcz [national], HUN

Further Personal Information

Date of birth
17 March 1983
Height
179 cm
Weight
89 kg
Family
Son David
Residence
Szeged, HUN
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
Hungarian
Higher education
University of Szeged: Hungary