Born: 1982 (Serbia)
Biography:
Natasa Dusev-Janics, born on June 24, 1982, is a Hungarian sprint canoer who has left an indelible mark on the sport. She began competing for Hungary in 2001 and has since won a remarkable six Olympic medals in the sprint canoe events. However, her journey to become one of the most successful athletes in her discipline had its roots in Serbia.
Natasa grew up in Serbia and initially competed for FR Yugoslavia at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She comes from a family of canoers, with her father Milan Jani winning a silver medal for Yugoslavia in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Both her brothers, Mio and Stjepan Jani, are also canoers who have represented Croatia since 2004. While both of her siblings participated in the 2008 Olympics, Mio was nominated as a reserve.
Natasa’s career truly took off when she joined the Hungarian team. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won two gold medals in the sprint canoe events, showcasing her exceptional talent. She continued her winning streak at the 2008 Summer Olympics, capturing another gold and silver medal. Her success continued at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she added a silver and a bronze medal to her collection.
In addition to her Olympic achievements, Natasa has also found tremendous success at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Throughout her career, she has won an astonishing 26 medals at the event, including an impressive 20 gold medals. Her triumphs span various categories, such as K-1 200m, K-2 200m, K-2 500m, K-2 1000m, K-4 200m, K-4 500m, K-4 1000m, and K-1 200m relay. Alongside her partner Katalin Kovács, she was also named Hungarian Sportsteam of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2010.
Natasa’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, and she has been recognized with numerous awards throughout her career. She was elected Hungarian Sportswoman of the Year in both 2004 and 2010, reflecting her remarkable consistency and excellence in the sport. Moreover, she was named Hungarian kayaker of the Year four times, in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2010. Natasa was also honored with the Príma Primissima award in 2006 and the Pro Universitate award in 2008.
Despite her remarkable success, Natasa has faced her fair share of challenges. In 2012, she began suffering from a herniated disc in her neck, which has caused her significant pain and affected her performance. In 2019, she stated that the injury had reached a point where she was considering retirement. However, it is clear that her legacy in the sport will forever be remembered.
Natasa Dusev-Janics has not only achieved incredible success in the world of sprint canoeing but has also played a significant role in inspiring future generations. Her dedication, perseverance, and unparalleled skill have made her a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide. As a pioneer in her sport, she has left an indelible mark on women’s history, showcasing that women can achieve greatness in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Awards:
– Yugoslav Young Athlete of the Year: 2000
– Hungarian kayaker of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010
– Hungarian Sportswoman of the Year: 2004, 2010
– Hungarian Athlete of the Year: 2004
– Person of the Year by Magyar Szó: 2004
– Member of the Hungarian team of the year (with Katalin Kovács): 2005, 2006, 2010
– Príma Primissima award: 2006
– Pro Universitate award: 2008
– Ribbon Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Officer’s Cross: 2004
– Ribbon Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Commander’s Cross: 2008