Source: Kajak-Kenu Sport | Translation: Frank Szekszardi - Renata Csay has achieved the 15th World Champion title of her sports career in Oklahoma. As the most successful female marathon kayak paddler of the town Győr, she's an icon in the town and a real role model in the international field. I spoke to her about the future, the general acknowledgement within the sport and about the love for the sport.

How do you do and how can you manage to be still on the pinnacle of your discipline?

“It is very simple. I just love what I do. I found my place in this discipline and I arranged my life around it so I'm able to train and prepare for the international regattas. In fact I'm already afraid of the next season since I said that I'd retire after the Marathon World Championship in Győr  in 2015.

So would you like to push a bit back the moment of ‘Goodbye’?

“I would indeed! Because it gives me a good feeling what I do. I'm not tired, I have no pain, no injuries and the most important, I'm still successful. So I started to panic a bit since I don't want to stop it just yet. But after 2015 I'd love to continue a bit differently and prepare my coaching career in the same time. I'd love to start up a team together with my coach László Sztanity here in Győr.”

What kind of greetings do you receive from the other competitors when you arrive to an international competition?

“Well, the old rivals are slowly fading away, there are more and more youngsters in the field. I always get warm and happy greetings from them and they often come up to me and ask for some of my wisdom in the sport.”

Are you a role model for them?

“Not sure, at least I hope that I still am.”

Do you feel that your results are acknowledged here in Hungary?

“Back in time when I was coached by Robert Ludasi, he had about ten world champions on his team. Then I felt like I was just one of many. Things are different here in Győr. People know me, they're happy to see me and I get nice greetings at my son’s school  or at my daughter’s kindy. The veggie shop owner and the people in the supermarket congratulate me after I come home with a victory from the World Championships. And of course my club is 100% beside me in everything! All the support I get from them is very important to me.”

You should get even more attention in the coming season since the Marathon World Championship will be held here in Győr…

“It's going to be a very important year for me and of course the main goal is the World Championships here in my home town. But I won't give up on the potential of winning a Sprint World Champion title on 5000m either. That distance fits pretty well into my marathon preparation anyways….”