When Great Britain's Joseph Clarke woke up on Thursday morning he feared he would not be able to even make the start line in the men’s K1 heats in Krakow.
Struggling to move his head after pulling his neck muscle in training, Clarke had doubts over his fitness during the final International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup before the Olympics.
A withdrawal would have added to a disappointing season by his standards having failed to reach a kayak final in the opening two World Cups.
A 29th place finish in the semi-finals in Augsburg was followed by picking up a 50-second penalty in the heats in Prague.
But Clarke showed his champion’s spirit in Krakow, opting to fight through any discomfort felt in his neck to secure a morale-boosting victory.
Wearing tape all along his back to aid his neck, Clarke topped the heats before returning on Friday to capture the men’s K1 title.
“It’s huge,” said Clarke.
“I have had a really disappointing season so far in the slalom.
“I have put a couple of good runs down in the qualification but nothing in the semi-finals.
“This was my first final in this World Cups series and it was a great run in the final.
“I pulled my neck in a cross session on Wednesday evening and certainly woke up on the Thursday morning not sure I would race so thought I would go out and see what happens.
“Here we are 48 hours later and I’ve got a gold medal so can’t really put it into words.”
Clarke, the Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist, was crowned world champion in men’s K1 last year but has struggled to hit top form until now.
“It would be nice to be on top all the time and it is really hard to do that,” said Clarke.
“The training has been going well and all the other stuff has been going in the right direction but just hasn’t been coming out on the day.
“I am trying to remain calm, focused, know that it will come and trust in the process.
“I have done that today and it has resulted in the gold medal so that is fantastic.
“It just builds that confidence ahead of the Games.
“I don’t necessarily need it but it is always nice to get that recognition for all the hard work put in and show where you are internationally.”
The victory in Krakow has come at just the right time for Clarke as he prepares for his return to the Olympic stage after narrowly missing out on a place at Tokyo 2020.
“We are counting down the days, it’s less than 50 now,” added Clarke.
“I am trying not to keep count as it is going to be here before you know it so I am just trying to live in the moment right now as the build up is the nice part of the Games as well.
“It will go by so quickly.
“I don’t wish any days away and just enjoy the whole build up and process of the Games.”
Full coverage of this week's event can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
Join Planet Canoe's YouTube channel for €9.99 per month to unlock members-only content and features
Related links
