Jan Benzien

Jan Benzien (born 22 July 1982) 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.

Born22 July 1982 (1982-07-22) (age 44)

Giessen, West Germany^[1]

Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)^[2]

Weight75 kg (165 lb)

SportCanoe slalom

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Jan Benzien

Benzien in 2008
Personal information
Born	22 July 1982 (1982-07-22) (age 44) Giessen, West Germany[1]
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Weight	75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
Sport	Canoe slalom
Club	Leipziger Kanu Club
Coached by	Michael Trummer (national) Frithjof Bergner (club)[3]
Medal record Representing  Germany World Championships 2006 Prague C1 team 2015 London C2 2002 B.St.-Maurice C1 2002 B.St.-Maurice C1 team 2005 Penrith C1 team 2007 Foz do Iguaçu C1 team 2010 Tacen C1 team 2011 Bratislava C1 team 2013 Prague C1 team 2015 London C2 team 2009 Seu d'Urgell C1 European Championships 2006 L'Argentière C1 team 2013 Kraków C1 2018 Prague C2 team 2002 Bratislava C1 team 2005 Tacen C1 team 2007 Liptovský C1 team 2011 Seu d'Urgel C1 team 2012 Augsburg C1 team 2013 Kraków C1 team 2015 Markkleeberg C2 2002 Bratislava C1 2009 Nottingham C1 2009 Nottingham C1 team 2013 Kraków C2 team 2014 Vienna C1 2016 Liptovský Mikuláš C2 team U23 European Championships 2004 Kraków C1 2004 Kraków C1 team Junior World Championships 2000 Bratislava C1 Junior European Championships 1999 Solkan C1 team 1999 Solkan C1

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He won eleven medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships with two golds (C1 team: 2006, C2: 2015), eight silvers (C1: 2002; C1 team: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013; C2 team: 2015), and a bronze (C1: 2009). He won additional 16 medals at the European Championships (3 golds, 7 silvers, and 6 bronzes).^[4]

Benzien competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the 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.^[1] At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he placed fourth in the C2 event, together with teammate Franz Anton.^[1]

Benzien serves with the German Army and has a degree in sport management from the Vocational Academy of Riesa. He is active as an entrepreneur since 2014 and, together with a co-partner, he was constructing several buildings for gastronomy and boat rental at the Leipzig City Harbour,^[5] which he has leased from the city for this purpose. The city built the harbour facilities with access to the Elstermühlgraben. The ceremonial opening of the Leipzig City Harbour took place on 5 June 2026.^[6]

He is married to the Olympic canoeist Mandy Planert; they have children, Justus Jonas and Mika.