Czechia’s Barbora Ondrackova continued her hot streak with her fourth gold medal of the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Krakow, Poland.
Ondrackova followed up her golden double in the teams events by capturing individual titles in both kayak and canoe.
Her victory in Saturday’s women’s C1 underlined her dominance in the junior category.
France’s Mewen Debliquy is also enjoying a fantastic week in Krakow as he completed his golden hat-trick with men’s U23 C1 success.
Germany added another gold medal to their tally courtesy of Lucie Krech’s victory in the women’s U23 C1, while Slovakia’s Dominik Egyhazy clinched the men’s junior C1 crown.
Click here for live startlists and results from Krakow
It has been a week to remember for Ondrackova and her Czech teammates as they continue to rack up titles.
After achieving a one-two-three in Friday’s women’s junior K1 final, Czechia had the chance to do the same in C1 with Marketa Stepankova, Ondrackova, Valentyna Kocirova registering the third fastest times in the semi-final.
Stepankova missed out on a medal, but Ondrackova and Kocirova delivered again to ensure a Czech one-two.
Ondrackova touched two gates but her time of 106.22 was still enough to secure top honours.
Kocirova finished in 108.62 for silver, while France’s Margot Lapeze sealed bronze in 108.96.
“I feel absolutely amazing,” said Ondrackova.
“There were some mistakes, but I am so happy with my run.
“I did not expect this. I was hoping to have some medals in teams events but I also have two gold medals in the individual so it’s crazy.”
Featuring in his final ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships of his career, Debliquy completed a hat-trick of titles.
After helping France win gold medals in the men’s canoe and kayak teams events, Debliquy enjoyed solo success by capturing the men’s U23 C1 crown.
After missing out on selection for the senior squad this year, Debliquy has responded in superb fashion.
Debliquy joined forces with Titouan Estanguet and Martin Cornu to clinch teams titles in canoe and kayak before showing his individual skills to emerge victorious in Krakow.
The 23-year-old, who won the men’s C1 U23 title in 2022, put down a clean run as he secured victory in 88.62.
Czechia’s defending champion Lukas Kratochvil claimed silver in 89.07, with Italy’s Elio Maiutto finishing in 91.50 for bronze.
“It’s amazing,” said Debliquy.
“The last time I won this title was back in 2022 in my first year in U23 so to win this title again in my last year feels amazing.
“I am happy to end my junior career with this title.
“You are never going to be too confident with the athletes out there, they are all fantastic so I had to be at the top of my game and I did it, so I am really happy.”
There was a big shock in the women’s U23 C1 as Czechia’s top seed Tereza Kneblova failed to make the final.
Germany’s Lucie Krech seized her opportunity as she swept to a commanding victory in 103.71, winning by almost five seconds.
Italy’s Elena Micozzi earned silver in 108.31, with China’s Yishan Wu clinching bronze in 109.57.
“I am feeling overwhelmed and happy,” said Krech.
“The semi-final run went quite good and I felt really smooth so I thought let’s just enjoy the final run and that’s worked out really well.
“I didn’t expect it but I am really happy.
“It’s incredible that they are cheering for me and I know my family are crying happy tears. It means a lot.
“The last few years haven’t worked out so good and I think this was a really good sign today.”
Slovakia’s Egyhazy’s persistence paid off as he produced a superb run to clinch men’s junior C1 gold in 88.11.
He won by almost four seconds as Czechia’s Dominik Rezabek came second in 91.97 and Greece's Ioannis Zachos clinched bronze in 96.80.
“I was fourth in Liptovsky Mikulas in 2024, I didn’t make the finals in Foix so it’s absolutely great,” said Egyhazy.
“After last year, it was huge motivation for this year. I don’t have so many medals so I trained so hard as I can and I did it, finally.”
Men’s U23 C1
- DEBLIQUY Mewen (FRA) 88.62 (0 penalties)
- KRATOCHVIL Lukas (CZE) +0.45 (0)
- MAIUTTO Elio (ITA) +2.88 (0)
Women’s U23 C1
- KRECH Lucie (GER) 103.71 (2)
- MICOZZI Elan (ITA) +4.60 (4)
- WU Yishan (CHN) +5.86 (4)
Men’s Junior C1
- EGYHAZY Dominik (SVK) 88.11 (0)
- REZABEK Dominik (CZE) +3.86 (0)
- ZACHOS Ioannis (GRE) +8.69 (0)
Women’s Junior C1
- ONDRACKOVA Barbora (CZE) 106.22 (4)
- KOCIROVA Valentyna (CZE) +2.40 (2)
- LAPEZE Margot (FRA) +2.74 (2)
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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