Many things have changed in the world of Canoe Slalom over the past 30 years but one of the things that has remained constant is the presence of Michal Martikan.
Ever since Martikan paddled on the global stage in 1995 where he starred at his first International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships, the Slovakian has been competing at the highest level.
Even in the twilight years of his career, the desire to win medals and produce fast times has failed to dwindle as he pushes himself to get the better of the next generation of paddlers.
This week will see Martikan feature at another World Championships where he will represent Slovakia at the age of 46 – 30 years older than the youngest paddler Ryker Harris of Canada.
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“I have qualified after a tough national qualification and I am ready to prepare the best I can for this World Championships,” said Martikan.
“My first senior World Championships was in 1995 in Nottingham, Great Britain.
“I have not missed one since then.”
Martikan is preparing to compete in Penrith, Australia which is poised to stage its first ICF Slalom World Championships in 20 years ago.
The Penrith Whitewater Stadium is a place which holds a special place in Martikan’s heart having won medals there when it hosted the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 and the World Championships five years later.
It also brings back fond memories of when Martikan’s first child was born as he recalled receiving the news of her imminent arrival after winning men’s C1 bronze.
“I was second in the Olympics and third in the World Championships in Penrith but in 2005 I had to leave very early because my daughter was born on October 5,” said Martikan.
“I won the bronze medal and had to go quickly to the plane.
“I was on time (for my daughter’s birth) so it was a really nice memory.
“I now have two girls so I have lovely memories from that great whitewater course, with great people there.
“I really like Australia and always enjoy the memory of my first daughter from there.”
Martikan’s two medals in Penrith in 2000 and 2005 are among a huge collection he has accumulated during his glittering career.
The Slovakian great has achieved five Olympic medals, including C1 golds at Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008, and captured 15 world titles, featuring four C1 crowns, with the first coming in 1997 and last coming in 2007.
The last time Martikan got on the podium at a World Championships was in 2017 when he earned bronze.
But Martikan is refusing to give up hope of putting himself in contention again as he sealed bronze at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final in La Seu last year.
“I think the most important thing is that I love this sport and I would like to spend more time in it,” said Martikan.
“It’s not going to last forever and I hope to have a couple more years where I would like to enjoy slalom, not only to stay paddling but I would like to come closer to the podium and to the best times.
“I think it’s still possible.
“I have been training the same as 20 years ago but maybe I am tired of that.
“Maybe I need to change something but I think it’s possible, even in my old age to come closer the best times.
“It’s a different style with the fast guys now but I think by using the water it is still possible to be very close to them.”
When asked whether he could potentially go on to compete in his 50s, Martikan added: “I’m not too sure.
“I would like to paddle for a couple more years and not only to paddle but try to be very close to the best ones and maybe try to help another generation to race.
“I have some more ideas.
“I have been watching big races like the past two Olympic Games from the riverside.
“It was terrible for me so I would like to put pressure on the water.”
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