Czech canoe sprinter Josef Dostal was named best Army Sportsman of the Year in Czechia, while his teammate Martin Fuksa, last year’s winner, came in second. The decision was made by votes from coaches, officials, and experts from the Army Sports Centre Dukla. In third place was Olympic bronze medallist in javelin, Nikola Ogrodnikova.
Olympic Champion titles won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games brought Czech canoe sprinters Josef Dostal and Martin Fuksa the top two positions in the polling for the best Army sportsman of the year 2024 in Czechia. For the second time in history the title was won by Josef Dostal, who was crowned Olympic Champion in men’s K1 1000 metres event, while Martin Fuksa, the defending champion of the title in Army ranking, now finished in second position. The award ceremony, which have celebrated its 28th edition, brought Dostal into the spotlight for the second time, as he was named the best sportsman also in 2016, when he returned from the Rio Olympics with a silver and bronze. His coach, Pavel Davidek, was named Coach of the year.
Not only did Dostal claim the Olympic Champion title over 1000 metres, he also won World Champion title in the non-Olympic 500-metres event in Samarkand, where he also won bronze in mixed event with his fiancée Anezka Paloudova. “I’m a little disappointed that there were no two first-place winners today. I would have liked to stand here with Martin Fuksa. He deserves it too,” he said on the occasion. He then even showcased his musical talents with a guitar, singing the song Bon soir mademoiselle Paris.
In addition to Dostal who was first, Fuksa who was second and coach Davidek, there was another paddler recognised during the ceremony. Canoe slalom paddler Martina Satkova finished sixth in the standings of the best Army sportsperson of the year.
Source and photo: http://ascdukla.com/aktualita/triumf-po-osmi-letech-armadnim-sportovcem-roku-je-kajakar-josef-dostal-na-podiu-dokonce-zazpival/
3.12.2024
