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Tokyo Olympic champions Janja Garnbret and Benjamin Savšek received an award from Borut Pahor for outstanding sporting achievements, Slovenia's assertion on the world sports scene and inspiration for people. In the explanation of the recognition for Benjamin Savšek, they wrote that he was a “competitor with a subtle sense of water control and an athlete who is an inspiration for both younger and older competitors”. A member of the Ljubljana’s Kayak Canoe Club Tacen, he won medals in the junior categories, and achieved top results in the biggest competitions in the senior categories.

 

With 18 medals won in the highest level of international competitions, Savšek made history as one of the best Slovenian athletes. The first medal from the European Championships in 2012 was followed by three European Championship titles, the World Champion title, silver medals from the 2014 and 2015 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships.

 

At the Olympics in Tokyo, he won the only medal he lacked of in his career with a dream performance. With the Olympic gold medal in canoe slalom, he became the fourth white water canoeist in the world to win the title of Olympic, World and European Champion. He is distinguished not only by his sporting achievements, but also by his personality, as he is a role model for new generations of Slovenian canoeists and kayakers, the president's office said in the justification of the award.

 

“Recognition of the Golden Order of Merit means a lot to me. This lets me know that my efforts to represent my homeland in competitions have been noticed and mean something at home, where it is best to be appreciated. Thank you to everyone who are marking my path and contributing to my success. We are a small nation made for great success,” said Benjamin Savšek after receiving the award.

 

 

Photo: BoBo/Borut Živulović