Lajos Gyokos' eagle eyes are always glued to the TV screen during races. Going by the expressions on his face, he is as cool as a cucumber.
But behind that composed exterior, the Hungarian’s mind is constantly analyzing, evaluating, and searching for ways to sharpen the performance of Japan’s Canoe Sprint stars in dark blue jackets.
With the country unable to earn a quota in the discipline for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Japanese Canoe Federation is hoping to change the country's fortunes come LA28.
To kickstart the journey, the National Federation turned to Gyokos, securing his services as head coach of the men's and women's kayak teams.
“They approached me last November. For eight years now, I have been a coach in Japan. I started at the club level, at the Sameura Canoe Academy,” he said.
“I was a national team coach of South Korea before. My kids were very young then and my family was staying in Hungary.
“The new project found me and it was also a great opportunity for my family. So it was an easy decision.”
Under his guidance, Japan won three bronze and two silver medals in kayak events at the 2025 Asian Canoe Confederation Canoe Sprint Asian Championships earlier this month.
They have always been a force to be reckoned with at the continental level and are fourth in the all-time Asian Games medals table.
But Gyokos, the men's kayak four 1000m world champion from 2006, is dreaming bigger.
“LA28 is a realistic target. We have a young and motivated team and have good potential. I am focusing on the men’s and women’s kayak teams. It is a pleasure to work with the Japanese team.
“I can feel the resonance in training. They are working hard and we know the level we want to achieve. When I leave, I hope I can leave a mark.”
An active athlete, Gyokos has fully embraced the Japanese way of life and even started competing for them a few years ago.
A Canoe Marathon Committee member in the Land of the Rising Sun, he represented the country at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged last year.
“I participated at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged, in the men’s kayak single 1000m and K1 5000m, finishing fifth in the latter,” he said.
“I am 44 years old. Everyone was surprised by my results when I competed with the youngsters.
“I am a Canoe Sprint paddler. But because of my age, I am not trying Olympic distances anymore. That is why I switched to Canoe Marathon.”
He was also part of The World Games Birmingham 2022, finishing 10th in the long distance and 11th in the short distance.
Gyokos is now preparing for the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gyor this year.
But the anticipation isn’t just about racing. A father of two, with a third child on the way, Gyokos admits life is full on right now.
“We are due again in August. In April, my family decided to move back to Szeged until the baby was born. It will happen around the World Championships. So our life is not boring,” he said.
“This year, I am going to the World Championships in Gyor. I am also going to compete in the Masters World Championships. So maybe the World Championships in Gyor in my home country will be a good way to end my professional career.”
However, he reiterated that taking Japan to the Games in the United States in three years is the priority.
“I do not want to stop kayaking but the focus is the Japanese team. The Olympic Games are missing from my career. So maybe that is why I am sticking around. I feel like I can do something more.”
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