Sebastian BRENDEL (GER)
Germany
Age:
36 years
Languages:
English, German
Federation:
DEUTSCHER KANU VERBAND E. V.
Biography
Further Personal Information
BIOGRAPHY
Brendel won Olympic gold in the C1 1000 at London 2012 and Rio 2016, becoming the first paddler in 64 years to defend his title in the C1 1000. In Rio, he also won the C2 1000 title and has a C2 1000 bronze from Tokyo 2020. The veteran has a whopping 26 world medals, including 13 golds. He is a police officer and is among the most successful paddlers in the world. Brendel will race the C1 1000 in Paris.
OLYMPIC GAMES
C1 Male 1.000 m
PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Potsdam
OCCUPATION
Athlete, Police Officer
WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/ KAYAKING?
He took up the sport at age eight in Schwedt, Germany. After three years he moved to Potsdam in order to attend a school for talented athletes.
REASON FOR TAKING UP THE SPORT
He tried football, karate and athletics before he decided to take up canoe sprint.
HOBBIES
Spending time with family
CLUB
KC Potsdam
NAME OF COACH
Ralph Welke [club, national], Reiner Kiessler [national]
NATIONALITY OF YOUR COACH
German
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT YEAR
2007
MEMORABLE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Winning gold in the C1 1000m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
HERO/IDOL
US swimmer Michael Phelps
SPORTING PHILOSOPHY/ MOTTO
"If you drive in the wake of others, you can not overtake." (Kant)
AMBITIONS
With Tokyo in view and the paddle in hand, I head for my third Olympic Games
AWARDS AND HONORS
He received the 2015 Kienbaum Award from the German Olympic Committee [DOSB] in recognition of his diligence during training and for being a positive example to young people. (dosb.de, 05 Jun 2015)He was named the 2015 Champion of the Year in Germany. (Facebook page, 29 May 2016; sport1.de, 02 Oct 2015)He was named Male Athlete of the Year in Brandenburg, Germany, in 2012, 2014 and 2015. (kanu.de, 14 Dec 2015; rbb-online.de, 13 Dec 2014)He received the Silbernen Lorbeerblatt [Silver Laurel Leaf] in 2012. It is the highest state sports award in Germany. (bundespraesident.de, 07 Nov 2012)
BEST RESULTS
Olympics: Gold - 3, Bronze - 1; World Championships: Gold - 13, Silver - 8, Bronze - 5.
