KenWallace.com.au

About Kenny

Name Ken Wallace
Sport Canoe/Kayak- Flatwater
Event K1 1000m/ K1 500m
Date of Birth 26.07.1983
Height 192cm
Weight 91kg
Discipline Flatwater Kayak
State Queensland
Coaches Jimmy Owens, Glen Workman
Scholarships Australian Institute of Sport/Queensland Academy of Sport
Club/s Currumbin Creek Canoe Club/Tugun Surf Life Saving Club
Other Sports Surf Life Saving
Olympic Results Gold Medal K1 500m (Beijing 2008), Bronze Medal K1 1000m
Other Sporting achievements Junior World Champion 2001 K1 1000m

In early 2008, Ken Wallace hoped to make the Australian Olympic Team bound for Beijing. He never dreamed he would become the Olympic Champion and a bronze medallist. His historic win in the 500m Flatwater kayak event, was the first time an Australian had brought home gold in this distance. The day before saw him on the podium, with a bronze medal for the 1000m event. Ken’s abilities were always known but even he himself expected them to show up later in his career, as Ken was the youngest in both finals. It has been an awe inspiring and illustrious sporting career for the 25-year-old Gold Coast Lifeguard. However, it is just the beginning and Ken has a bright and promising future ahead.

Ken has a laid back attitude but it is his dedication and focus that have allowed him to become such an elite sportsperson. This dedication crosses over into his involvement in Surf Life Saving, which was the foundation of his kayaking career. He is a member of Tugun Surf Club on the Gold Coast where he won an incredible 5 Australian Taplin Titles in a row with his fellow club members, a feat yet to be beaten.

Throughout the Olympic experience Ken was largely involved in the media spotlight. For a guy who was mainly focused on training and performance he was able to manage his media commitments and the sudden and unexpected rise to sports stardom. Ken became well known as the regular guy that people could easily relate to. John Coates even exclaimed Ken’s quote would go down as one of the most memorable from the games:

“I just love racing, I’ll even race you to the door,” was Ken’s comment during the media conference following his race.

Ken’s ability to be himself has made him extremely popular for luncheons and corporate appearances around Australia. Also his strength and speed has become well known across the sporting world.

Ken is undeniably the most dominant athlete in the sport of kayaking within Australia and this dominance is growing. The loyalty that Ken possesses has helped him create an incredible partnership with his coach, Jimmy Owens. Jimmy has been Ken’s coach since 2000 when Ken was still a junior. They have achieved amazing results and are destined to achieve even more throughout his paddling career. Ken will continue to achieve his goals for many years to come.

Sporting Results
2008 Olympic Games – Beijing, China
Gold K1 500m, Bronze K1 1000m

2008 World Cup 3 – Poznan, Poland
Bronze K1 500m, Fourth K1 1000m

2008 Australian Championships (Olympic Trials)
Gold K1 500m, Gold K1 1000m, Silver K2 1000m (First Australians)

2007 Pre-Olympic Regatta – Beijing, China
Silver K1 500m, Fourth K1 1000m

2007 World Championships – Duisburg, Germany
Fourth K1 1000m

2001 Junior World Championships – Brazil
Gold K1 1000m

Awards
2006 Top 16 Most Successful Competitors in Surf Life Saving History
2008 Most Successful Male Athlete at the Beijing Olympic Games
2008 Top 100 Australian Olympic Athletes in History
2008 Sydney Telegraph Sportsman of the Year
2008 Australian Institute of Sport Sportsman of the Year
2008 Gold Coast Sportsman of the Year
2009 Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

Motto: “Winners always want the ball when the games on the line”.