Jana Dukatova
DOB: June 13th, 1983
Natural habitat: Canoe slalom (K1)
Nationality: SVK
-
Career Highlights:
+ 2nd place World Championship Pau 2017
+4th place Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016
+6th place Olympic Games London 2012
+1st place World Championship (C1) Tacen 2010
+1st place European Championship Bratislava 2010
+1st place World Championship Prague 2006
+1st place World Cup overall
(2009, 2010, 2011, 2013)
-
Where did you start with paddling?
"When I was 11 I started with flatwater kayaking on the River Danube in Bratislava. In 1996 a new whitewater venue was opened in Čunovo and I decided to switch to canoe slalom."
-
Why did you change from flatwater kayaking to canoe slalom?
"I think that flat water was too boring for me. First time I saw the white water in Bratislava, I was so excited! I knew that slalom is gonna be much more fun."
-
Why do you paddle?
"Canoe slalom is an amazing sport. There are no two identical courses in the world. Each of them is unique and that’s what I like. Moreover you can set up a hundreds of gate combinations on each course, which makes each training unique as well."
-
What is your favourite course?
"Athens. It’s a beautiful and really unique course. It’s pretty wide, with a big drop. I always loved to paddle on this course. The salt water which is running in makes it very special too. And yeah… I made my first World Cup podium on this course."
-
What was your best experience in kayaking?
"My greatest experience so far was racing at the Olympic Games."
-
Who has influenced you the most in your career?
"I love to read athletes biographies. Many of them influenced my career and were a big inspiration and motivation for me."
-
How was it to get back to training after the birth of your daughter?
"It was great to get back on the water after 6 months break. As you can’t forget how to ride a bike, you can’t forget how to paddle. But I must say, that it took me quite a long time to get my body and especially my core back to shape."
-
What are your goals and plans for the future?
"My biggest goal is to win an Olympic medal. It’s the only medal which I’m missing in my collection."
-
Who do you like to follow on Instagram?
"Rafa Ortiz. I love those awesome pictures from rivers all around the world and of course the crazy stuff he does."
-
What do you like to do when you are not in a kayak? "Windsurfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and road cycling."
