Renata Csay - Hungarian

Renata Csay - Member of the World Paddle Awards Academy

As one of most decorated canoe marathon paddlers in History, Renata Csay has helped inspire and encourage all marathon paddlers since she first picked up a paddle. 

Born and raised in Gyor (Hungary), she first started kayaking at 11 years old and hasn't looked back. In fact, her first coach Sztanity Laszlo, still coaches her today. She enjoyed success in flatwater kayaking in her early years, but since taking up Marathon paddling it's obvious this is where her real strengths lie. 

Since 1997 Renata Csay has attended every Marathon World Championships, regularly featuring on the dias. Across those 19 years she won 18 gold (7xK1, 11xK2) and 10 silver (3xK1, 7x K2) medals, which has no doubt heavily contributed to Hungary’s success in canoe marathon. At the 2016 World Championships the nation won an unprecedented 27 medals (14 Gold, 8 Silver, 5 Bronze) from a possible 34 over the 17 races — two boats nation per race. 

If this wasn't enough,, the mother of two has also won double gold in the K1 and K2 event an astonishing five times (2003, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016), an accomplishment that will likely never be passed. To add to her success, she has also won a silver and bronze medal at the Flatwater World Championships in the K1 5000m. 

In addition to these medals she has been awarded the Gyor-Sopron Sportswoman of the year on 7 occassions, has been presented with 6 Certificates of recognition for Outstanding Sport Accomplishments from the Minister of Hungary, in 2013 was awarded as a City of Gyor Honorary Citizen and just recently won the World paddle Awards Sportswoman of the year. 

Off the water Renata completed a kayak coaching certificate in 2013 and in 2009 graduated from the Western Hungary University with an Adult Education degree. Both of these accomplishments giving her the knowledge and expertise to educate and coach the next generation of paddlers. 

Married to Gábor Kolozsvári (C1 Men’s Canoe Marathon World Champion) with two children who both already love paddling, Renata's involvement in the sport is no where near its end. Her unparalleled passion for canoe marathon, past results and understanding of high performance sport makes her the perfect addition to the World Paddle Awards Academy.

Results summary:

World Championships: 18 gold, 12 silver and 1 bronze medal
European Championships:  14 gold and 1 silver medal
World Games: 2 gold medals
European Games: 1 bronze medal
Hungarian Champion: On 35 occassions