Slovakia’s Matej Benus says its not frustrating to have never won an individual world, European or Olympic gold medal, but he is more than ready for it to happen.
The 37-year-old paddler says Sydney, Australia is one of his favourite courses in the world – the perfect venue to finally breakthrough for his first-ever canoe single crown at the International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships.
“I’m feeling really good, really well prepared because this is one of my best courses,” Benus said on the eve of the men’s C1 competition in Sydney.
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“I’m really happy to be back here after so many years.
“The water is really good, and we spend a lot of time here training, over about 15 or 16 years. I know this water really well.”
It’s not as if Benus hasn’t tasted World Championships success before. He has nine world titles in the men’s canoe teams competition, a reflection of Slovakia’s dominance in the category for the best part of a decade.
The first team gold came in 2009, the same year he was crowned European U23 world champion. Onlookers predicted big things for the gangly 22-year-old from Bratislava, and they weren’t wrong.
But just not as an individual. Benus and his teammates won every men’s C1 team world title between 2009 and 2019, but C1 glory continued to elude him.
He won C1 silver at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, and then bronze at the Paris Olympics last year. His ability to perform under pressure has never been an issue. On four occasions he has been the overall World Cup champion, which rewards the most consistent paddler over an entire season (2010, 2015, 2019 and 2024).
How he has never made a World Championships podium may be one of slalom’s enduring mysteries.
“It’s true, and I know it,” Benus said.
“So many times it is one small mistake, or one small touch that has cost me a title. I am working on it, I really would like to have a clean first final.
“I don’t think I’m frustrated. This is sport. If somebody has a good final, it means they were better than me on that day. It’s fair, that’s how it works.”
Winning bronze in the heady atmosphere of Paris last year has provided a timely boost to Benus. He made three World Cup finals this year, culminating in a silver medal in the final leg of the five-stage series in Augsburg.
“It’s been really difficult because for the past 10 years it’s become much harder and the results are much closer,” he said.
“Since the end of C2 I think the courses have become more difficult, and there are a lot of young athletes who are very fast.
“(Nicolas) Gestin, (Miquel) Trave – Trave is only 62 kilograms, almost 30 kilograms less than me and he is so fast, so it is more difficult now.”
With experience comes paddling smarts, and Benus has changed his preparation to meet the new challenges. He is constantly examining new ways to diet, to train, to improve muscle strength.
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The direct qualification from heats to finals introduced at World Cups this year has meant every race needs 100 per cent focus, with no mistakes.
“Now you have to take risks from the start, and for a full run,” he said.
“That makes it harder, and that’s why we changed our training. I think almost every year I have made changes – the food, the gym, the coaches. I’ve tried the lot during my career.”
So what would it mean to finally breakthrough in Penrith?
“That’s my dream,” Benus said.
“My dream is a gold medal from the Olympic Games, because I already have a bronze and a silver, and I don’t have an individual title from the worlds, so that is my second biggest dream.”
Full coverage of the ICF Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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