Miquel Trave etched his name in Spanish history with victory at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, United States.
His triumph was Spain’s first gold in canoe and only the country’s second title in the history of the World Championships with David Llorente claiming top spot in the men’s kayak cross individual last year.
Czechia’s Tereza Kneblova is also celebrating her first senior world title after capturing the women’s C1 crown at the venue that will stage the Canoe Slalom competition during the Olympic Games in two years’ time.
Click here for the live start lists and results from Oklahoma City
The challenging course threw up plenty of surprises with reigning Olympic champions Nicolas Gestin of France and Jessica Fox of Australia unable to pick up medals.
Gestin, who was also the defending world champion, picked up two gate touches that saw him finish in sixth position.
Last year saw Trave agonisingly miss out on a medal as he ranked in fourth position.
Fuelled by that disappointment, Trave produced a superb run to clinch the world title in 88.28.
Olympic silver medallist Burgess secured silver in 89.77, while Czechia’s Lukas Kratochvil earned a surprise bronze in 89.89.
“It feels incredible, it’s like a dream,” said Trave.
“I have worked really hard to make it and finally I could deliver a good run in the final so I’m really happy.
“It means a lot to finally win a world title, it’s really good.
“It’s taken me many years.
“I am really excited that I could make it before going to the home World Championships in La Seu so hopefully next year I will be fighting for it again.”
There was no Fox in the women’s C1 final. The three-time Olympic champion was hoping to win her fourth gold in Oklahoma City and first world title in C1 since 2018.
But Fox was unable to seal a place in the final.
Rising star Kneblova has already tasted World Cup success in 2026 with victory at the season opener in Tacen and she was on fire in Oklahoma City.
The 23-year-old powered to glory in 100.51 as Andorra’s Monica Doria claimed silver in 103.04 and Poland’s defending champion Klaudia Zwolinksa clinched bronze in 103.21.
“It’s incredible, I cannot describe it,” said Kneblova.
“I am still trying to process it but it’s unbelievable so I would like to thank everyone.
“It’s something that I will never forget.
“I was pretty nervous so I was surprised that I was able to put down a solid run and I was even more surprised that it was enough for a gold medal.”
Women’s Canoe
- KNEBLOVA Tereza (CZE) 100.52
- DORIA Monica (AND) +2.52
- ZWOLINSKA Klaudia (POL) +2.69
Men’s Canoe
- TRAVE Miquel (ESP) 88.28
- BURGESS Adam (GBR) +1.49
- KRATOCHVIL Lukas (CZE) +1.61
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