Paris 2024 Canoe Sprint: All results, as Martin Fuksa finally wins gold in the men’s canoe single 1000m final

Czechia’s Martin Fuksa claimed the gold medal he has long been craving after winning the men’s canoe single 1000m final at Paris 2024.

The 31-year-old reigning world champion placed fifth in this event at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but crossed the line in an Olympic Record 3:43.16 on Friday (9 August) to clinch gold ahead of Brazil’s Isaquias Queiroz (3:44.33) and the Republic of Moldova’s Serghei Tarnovschi (3:44.68).

Fuksa is also the world record holder, posting 3:42.38 in 2018, and set what is now the old Olympic Record in the semi-finals here with a time of 3:44.69.

He was therefore the man to beat in Friday’s final, although Germany’s Sebastian Brendel and Brazil’s Queiroz had gone almost as quick in the semis.

Fuksa made the best start after 250m with Zakhar Petrov in contention and pushing him close.

A man on a mission, Fuksa then led by more than a second at the halfway stage, and it was turning into a battle for the remaining medal places.

Petrov was eventually caught, but Brendel was not a contender as Queiroz secured silver and Tarnovschi won Moldova’s third bronze of these Games.

The day belonged to Fuksa, however, who joins tennis mixed doubles pair Tomas Machac and Katerina Siniakova in winning gold for Czechia at Paris 2024.

Podium: Canoe Sprint men’s canoe single 1000m, Paris 2024

Gold: Martin Fuksa (Czechia)

Silver: Isaquias Queiroz (Brazil)

Bronze: Serghei Tarnovschi (Republic of Moldova)