Jan Benzien (born 22 July 1982) is a German slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 1999. Benzien started out as a C1 paddler. Since 2012 he has also been competing in C2, teaming up with Franz Anton.

Jan Benzien
Benzien in 2008
Personal information
Born22 July 1982 (1982-07-22) (age 42)
Giessen, West Germany[1]
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
SportCanoe slalom
ClubLeipziger Kanu Club
Coached byMichael Trummer (national)
Frithjof Bergner (club)[3]
Medal record
Representing  Germany
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Prague C1 team
Gold medal – first place 2015 London C2
Silver medal – second place 2002 B.St.-Maurice C1
Silver medal – second place 2002 B.St.-Maurice C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2005 Penrith C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2007 Foz do Iguaçu C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2010 Tacen C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2011 Bratislava C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2013 Prague C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2015 London C2 team
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Seu d'Urgell C1
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 L'Argentière C1 team
Gold medal – first place 2013 Kraków C1
Gold medal – first place 2018 Prague C2 team
Silver medal – second place 2002 Bratislava C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2005 Tacen C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2007 Liptovský C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2011 Seu d'Urgel C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2012 Augsburg C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2013 Kraków C1 team
Silver medal – second place 2015 Markkleeberg C2
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Bratislava C1
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Nottingham C1
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Nottingham C1 team
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Kraków C2 team
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Vienna C1
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Liptovský Mikuláš C2 team
U23 European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Kraków C1
Gold medal – first place 2004 Kraków C1 team
Junior World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Bratislava C1
Junior European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1999 Solkan C1 team
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Solkan C1

He won eleven medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships with two golds (C1 team: 2006, C2: 2015), eight silvers (C1: 2002; C1 team: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013; C2 team: 2015), and a bronze (C1: 2009). He won additional 16 medals at the European Championships (3 golds, 7 silvers, and 6 bronzes).[4]

Benzien competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the C1 event, he finished second in the qualification round, thus progressing to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Benzien finished twelfth, failing to reach the top eight and the final round.[1] At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he placed fourth in the C2 event, together with teammate Franz Anton.[1]

Benzien serves with the German Army and has a degree in sport management from the Vocational Academy of Riesa. He is married to the Olympic canoeist Mandy Planert; they have children, Justus Jonas and Mika. In 2014, he launched a canoe rental company in Leipzig.[3]

World Cup individual podiums

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      Total
C1 2 1 4 7
C2 1 2 0 3
Total 3 3 4 10
Season Date Venue Position Event
2003 6 July 2003 La Seu d'Urgell 3rd C1
2004 30 May 2004 Merano 3rd C1
2005 17 July 2005 Augsburg 1st C1
2006 28 May 2006 Athens 3rd C1
2009 28 June 2009 Pau 1st C1
12 July 2009 Augsburg 3rd C1
2011 9 July 2011 Markkleeberg 2nd C1
2012 2 September 2012 Bratislava 1st C2
2014 8 June 2014 Lee Valley 2nd C2
17 August 2014 Augsburg 2nd C2

References

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  1. ^ a b c Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jan Benzien". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
  2. ^ Jan Benzien Archived 26 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine. rio2016.com
  3. ^ a b Jan Benzien[permanent dead link]. nbcolympics.com
  4. ^ "Jan BENZIEN (GER)". CanoeSlalom.net. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
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