Ten Medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Milan

The first – silver – medal was won by the team of Corporal Márk Opavszky, Corporal Gergely Balogh, Corporal Zsombor Tamási and Corporal Bence Fodor in K-4 500 m. Corporal Kolos Csizmadia became champion in K-1 200 m, and Corporal Zsóka Csikós won a gold medal in K-1 1000 m and the next day, a bronze in K-1 500 m.

The team of Corporal István Juhász, Lance Corporal Dániel Fejes, Corporal Kristóf Kollár and Corporal Jonatán Hajdu finished first in C-4 500 m, while Lance Corporal Balázs Adolf won a bronze medal in C-1 1000 m. Lance Corporal Ádám Varga won a silver medal in K-1 500 m, and the women’s team of Corporal Ágnes Kiss, Corporal Bianka Nagy, Corporal Réka Opavszky and Corporal Zsófia Csorba finished first in C-4 500 m. Corporal István Juhász and Corporal Kristóf Kollár won a bronze medal in C-2 500 m, and Lance Corporal Ádám Varga also came in third in K-1 5000 m.

Major Szabolcs Krizsán, Commander, HDF Sports Company, told us that the military athletes performed outstandingly at this year’s championships near Milan, which has been part of the series of competitions organized annually by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) since 1938. “Their performance is indeed exemplary; it is hard to express what exquisite – almost superhuman – results they achieved”, emphasized the commander.

He said that out of the gold medallist world champions, the performance of 24-year-old Zsóka Csikós is standing out, who participated in the competition in three categories: first, the former European champion kayakist first became world champion in the longest distance, the next day, she won a bronze medal in the Olympic category of 500 m and she also reached the fifth ranking place in 5000 m. Szabolcs Krizsán said that “Zsóka Csikós’ performance is especially remarkable as she finished among the front-runners in two events”.

The sub-unit of the HDF Sports Company, made up of professional athletes, was formed in 2017. Currently, more than 200 athletes represent Hungary in over 30 sports in two units. The 1st Company includes the athletes of 14 Olympic sports, while the 2nd Company – operating since April 2024 – is recruiting competitors from other sports. “We are proud that the Sports Company represents Hungary and the Hungarian Defence Forces at such a high standard. This motivates each age group to also serve with the HDF besides doing sports; moreover, those who finish their professional athlete career often continue in the ranks of the HDF”, emphasized the commander.