The Physical Performance Show: Ken Wallace – Olympic Champion, K1-500m Sprint Kayak (2008), OAM

In episode 115 of The Physical Performance Show, Brad Beer has a conversation with Ken Wallace – Olympic Champion, K1-500m Sprint Kayak (2008), OAM.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Ken Wallace won a gold medal in the K1 500m Kayak Sprint, prior to that Ken won a Bronze Medal in the K1 1000m Kayak sprint. This was Ken’s favourite event. Since his Beijing Olympic success, Ken has represented Australia at the London Olympic Games and then again in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where he won a bronze medal by pairing up in K2 1000m with Lachlan Tame.

During this episode Ken Wallace takes us through his formative years and discusses growing up in the world of surf lifesaving where he discovered the sprint kayak.  He recounts the story of the first time he went paddling before going on to forge a stellar career in the kayak by taking multiple world titles and of course what’s been numerous Olympic medals.

Ken is looking forward to Tokyo 2020 which will be his fourth Olympic Games and during this episode shares the highs and lows and learnings of his remarkable career to date.

To listen to Episode 115:

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• What is Ken learning at the moment?
• Having his children watch him win a medal.
• First love of sport was swimming
• Getting into Kayaking
• Gold Coast Marathon Records
• Where Ken gets his sporting genes from?
• Making the senior team.
• Transitioning to Kayaking
• Trying new things during and Olympic Race
• Having his parents in the grandstand at the Olympics
• Winning at the Olympic Games
• Darkest day of Ken’s career
• Physical Challenge: Eat healthy food, get off your phone and get up early.

Show Sponsor Gold Coast Marathon

Like the Physical Performance Show, the Gold Coast Marathon encourages runners of all ages and abilities to push their boundaries and strive to complete a personal challenge. The Gold Coast Marathon is held annually on the first weekend in July and is a must do event for any budding athlete, weekend warrior or family looking for a challenge to complete together. Run for the good times at the Gold Coast Marathon. Visit the Gold Coast Marathon here.

Quotes:

“Happy to talk but serious.” – Being in the Zone
“Smile and wave and be happy.” – Best Advice
“Warm Down.” – Best Recovery Tip
“It’s not over until the finish line.”
“Don’t train until you get it right, train until you can’t get it wrong and the race will be easy.”
“Do something in your warm down/recovery.”
“I had to learn the skill of kayaking.”
“We’re so lucky to be able to do sport.”
“How sharp and how fast is this thing.”
“I had fun with my mates!”
“We were always competitive.”
“Am I in good form and am I ready to go?”
“It changed the dynamic and made me appreciate not only the wins, but the losses as well.”
“The perspective changed and there is more than just sport.”

To follow Ken Wallace

Timeline:

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