Jan Benzien


Jan Benzien 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.
He won eleven medals at the ICF [Canoe Slalom World Championships] with two golds, eight silvers, and a bronze. He won additional 16 medals at the European Championships.
Benzien competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the Canoeing at the [2008 Summer Olympics – Men's slalom C-1|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. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he placed fourth in the Canoeing at the [2016 Summer Olympics – Men's slalom C-2|C2 event], together with teammate Franz Anton.
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.

World Cup individual podiums

SeasonDateVenuePositionEvent
20036 July 2003La Seu d'Urgell3rdC1
200430 May 2004Merano3rdC1
200517 July 2005Augsburg1stC1
200628 May 2006Athens3rdC1
200928 June 2009Pau1stC1
200912 July 2009Augsburg3rdC1
20119 July 2011Markkleeberg2ndC1
20122 September 2012Bratislava1stC2
20148 June 2014Lee Valley [White Water Centre|Lee Valley]2ndC2
201417 August 2014Augsburg2ndC2