Katalin Kovács

Katalin Kovács (born 29 February 1976) is a Hungarian canoe sprinter. She competed in the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics and won eight medals, with three golds (K-2 500 m: 2004, 2008, K-4 500 m: 2012) and five silvers (K-2 500 m: 2000, 2012, K-4 500 m: 2000, 2004, 2008).

Kovács also won a record 40 medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships including 30 golds (K-1 500 m: 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009; K-1 1000 m: 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009; K-2 200 m: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011; K-2 500 m: 2005, 2006; K-2 1000 m: 2005, 2006; K-4 200 m: 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006; K-4 500 m: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011; K-4 1000 m: 2006), seven silvers (K-1 1000 m: 2010, K-2 500 m: 2013, K-4 200 m: 2007, 2009, K-4 500 m: 1997, 1998, 2007), and three bronzes (K-1 500 m: 2001, K-1 1000 m: 1999, K-2 500 m: 1999).

She was elected Hungarian Sportswoman of the Year in 2002 and 2003. Together with Natasa Dusev-Janics, she earned the title Hungarian Sportsteam of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2010.

Awards

 * Hungarian kayaker of the Year (10): 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
 * Hungarian Sportswoman of the Year (2) – votes of sports journalists: 2002, 2003
 * Hungarian Athlete of the Year (2) – the National Sports Association (NSSZ) awards: 2003, 2009
 * For Budapest award (2004)
 * Perpetual champion of Hungarian Kayak-Canoe (2005)
 * Member of the Hungarian team of year (with Natasa Janics): 2005, 2006, 2010
 * Príma Primissima award (2006)
 * Papp László Budapest Sport awards (2012)


 * Orders and special awards
 * HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 5class BAR.svg Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Knight's Cross (2000)
 * HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 4class BAR.svg Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Officer's Cross (2004)
 * HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 3class BAR.svg Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Commander's Cross (2008)
 * HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 2class BAR.svg Order of Merit of Hungary – Commander's Cross with Star (2012)