Kayak Singles, Slalom, Men

Germany had been strong traditionally in the Olympic Men’s K-1 Slalom, but it was Italy’s Daniele Molmenti who was the defending Olympic champion. Italy was represented in Rio by Giovanni De Gennaro, but reigning World Champion Jiří Prskavec of the Czech Republic was the favorite, as he was also the 2013, 2014, and 2016 European Champion and 2013 World runner-up. Nonetheless, De Gennaro won the preliminary rounds, although only 0.1 ahead of Britain’s Joe Clarke and 0.46 ahead of Germany’s entrant Hannes Aigner, a 2012 Olympic and European bronze medallist and the reigning European bronze medallist.

The semifinals were won by Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar, with Prskavec improving to second and Clarke slipping to third. In the final, however, Clarke came out on top with Prskavec settling for bronze after finishing with the fastest time, but incurring a two second penalty. Silver went to Slovenia’s Peter Kauzer, a three-time Olympian, 2009 and 2011 World Champion, and 2010 European Champion. Aigner, Grigar, and De Gennaro finished fourth, fifth, and seventh respectively