Renata Csay wins the 2016 Sportswoman of the Year award
RENATA CSAY (Hungary) – Winner of the 2016 ‘Sportswoman of the Year' award.
- Born: 1977, sports: canoe marathon (K1, K2), canoe sprint (K1); represents: Hungary
- 2016: Gold K1 & K2 Canoe Marathon World Championships
- 2015: Gold K2 & Silver K1 Canoe Marathon World Championships
- 2014: Gold K1 & K2 Canoe Marathon World Championships; Bronze K1 5000m canoe sprint world championships
Last year in the women's category sprint canoe queen Lisa Carrington took home the overall award, but this year her crown as Sportswoman of the Year was passed onto Hungarian marathon powerhouse Renata Csay. Winning two Canoe Marathon World Championship gold medals in 2016 to take her total gold medal haul to 18, Csay's name was added to the history books as the most successful marathon paddlers ever.
The humble mother of two accepted her award graciously infront of a packed room at this years World Paddle Awards ceremony at the Nelo training center in Portugal.
"I owe a debt of gratitude to many people. To all my trainers, training partners and especially to my trainer László Sztanity. He is the person who is more than only a trainer and with his help my career started! I would also like to thank to my family. Thank you to my husband who was also World Champion, my mother who has been helping me with the children and finally to my kids who have to tolerate my absence," she said.
At the 2016 World Championships Renata achieved double gold in the K1 and K2 which is a feat in itself, but this is her fifth time doing so (2003, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016), an accomplishment that will likely never be passed. When speaking about these incredible achievements Renata is very modest, encouraging all paddlers to set a goal and strive to achieve it.
"There are many talented young girls. My case shows that it is not impossible to do it."
Whilst a total of 20 gold medals is well within her reach, Renata isn't too phased about reaching this milestone. Instead, she is approaching the 2017 season with an open mind.
"I hope I can participate at the World Championship and I would like to do my best. But I don't want to win this Championship in order to have 20 medals," she said.
Whether or not she reaches this number, Renata Csay's legacy within Canoe Marathon will last a lifetime.
Read Renata's full profile here.