Tamás Wichmann was Hungary’s first real canoe king, and during his international sports career, which spanned three decades, he won nine World Championship gold medals, three European Championship gold medals, two Olympic silvers and one Olympic bronze medal, and he also stood on the top step of the podium of the Hungarian Championships 37 times. He has received the Canoer of the Year award five times, and has also won the Hungarian Athlete of the Year award once.
Our namesake
The first canoe king of the hungarians
His honours
He was awarded the Middle Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, and was also awarded the Pro Urbe Erzsébetváros Prize, the Prima Primissima Prize winner and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Hungarian Sports Journalists and the Hungarian Olympic Committee. One of his greatest accolades is the UNESCO Fair Play Award, which he earned and received by coaching his direct international competitor at the height of his sporting career.
His personality
With his successes, his commitment to the sport, his volunteering for the sport of canoeing, he has become an example for all of us to follow. He is also credited with cultivating the traditions of the sport, setting to music and capturing poems from the long years of the canoe subculture. He was an extraordinary social person, his friendliness, direct, positive personality made him truly lovable. His popularity was based on his versatility, in addition to his sports career, he also got acting roles in five Hungarian films. A documentary about the life of Tamás Wichmann was also made, entitled Magyar Lapát.
Forever with us
The Tamás Wichmann International Regatta wishes to commemorate this outstanding personality, the unforgettable figure of the sport of kayaking and canoeing, while at the same time setting as its primary goal the establishment of international sports friendships and the creation of a boundless sports community. We believe that the event, which debuted with great success in 2022, will grow into a huge world event in the coming years, a kind of sports festival that will create the opportunity to experience a real international competitive experience not only for athletes of national level…
