Jana Dukatova

Jana Dukatova Hiko Team Rider

DOB: June 13th, 1983
Natural habitat: Canoe slalom (K1)
Nationality: SVK
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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)
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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What was your best experience in kayaking? 
"My greatest experience so far was racing at the Olympic Games."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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 What do you like to do when you are not in a kayak? 
"Windsurfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and road cycling."