National team: Olympic / Senior
DOB: 26/07/1983
Lives: Currumbin, QLD
Institute/Academy: AIS / QAS
Club: Currumbin Creek Canoe Club
Coach: Jimmy Owens
Nickname: Walrus
- When/Why did you begin this sport? Started at Currumbin Creek with Olympic Gold medallist Mario Von Appen at the age of 16. I began the sport because I was looking at improving my ski leg for SLS events.
- Greatest Sporting Achievement? Winning a Gold and Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games. Along with winning 5 Taplin relays at Aussie Surf Champs with some of my best mates!
- What keeps you busy outside of Kayaking? Lifeguard duties at Gold Coast City Council.
- Greatest Influence on Career? My friends and family.
- Who inspires you? Troy Hipwood and Keith Colend.
- Which athlete do you respect/fear the most? I respect those athletes without the big ego’s and fear the athlete with nothing to lose!
- Best aspect of being a sprint athlete? Being able to measure my abilities against some of the fiercest competitors in the world while still managing to have fun on and off the water.
- Best Advice you’ve ever received? Just go for it, you’ve got nothing to lose!
- Rituals/superstitions? Warming up and listening to music on my IPod, I feel it relaxes me.
- Motto? Winners always want the ball when the game is on the line.
Instagram: @kennywallace
Facebook: Ken Wallace
Website: www.kenwallace.com.au
International Results
2017
1st (K4 1000) – ICF World Championships (Racice, CZE)
4th (K1 5000) – ICF World Championships (Racice, CZE)
2016
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Montemor, POR)
4th (K2 200) – ICF World Cup 3 (Montemor, POR)
2015
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Championships (Milan, ITA)
1st (K2 500) – ICF World Championships (Milan, ITA)
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Championships (Milan, ITA)
1st (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Montemor-o-Velho, POR)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
1st (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
3rd (K2 200) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
3rd (K4 200) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
2014
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Championships (Moscow, RUS)
2nd (K2 1000) – ICF World Championships (Moscow, RUS)
9th (K1 500) – ICF World Championships (Moscow, RUS)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Szeged, HUN)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Milan, ITA)
2nd (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
3rd (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Szeged, HUN)
3rd (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 1 (Milan, ITA)
6th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Milan, ITA)
10th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
19th (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 3 (Szeged, HUN)
2013
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Championships (Duisburg, GER)
2nd (K1 1000) – ICF World Championships (Duisburg, GER)
9th (K1 500) – ICF World Championships (Duisburg, GER)
1st (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 1 (Szeged, HUN)
1st (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
1st (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Poznan, POL)
2nd (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
3rd (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
4th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Poznan, POL)
6th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Szeged, HUN)
9th (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 3 (Poznan, POL)
2012
4th (K2 1000m) – 2012 Olympic Games (London, GBR)
2nd (K2 500m) – ICF World Cup 3 (Moscow, RUS)
3rd (K2 1000m) – ICF World Cup 3 (Moscow, RUS)
5th (K2 200m) – ICF World Cup 3 (Moscow, RUS)
5th (K2 1000m) – ICF World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL)
21st (K2 200m) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2011
6th (K1 5000m) – ICF World Championships (Szeged, HUN)
11th (K1 1000m) (B) – ICF World Championships (Szeged, HUN)
2010
6th (K1 1000m) – World Championships (Poznan, POL)
7th (K1 500m) – World Championships (Poznan, POL)
2009
2nd (K1 500m) – Grand Prix 2 (SIRC, NSW)
2008
1st (K1 500m) – 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing, CHN)
3rd (K1 1000m) – 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing, CHN)
Awards
2011 ICF Athlete of the Month (April)
2009 Order of Australia Medal (OAM)
2008 Most successful Male athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games
2008 AIS athlete of the year
2008 Sunday Telegraph Sportsman of the year
2008 Top 100 Australian Olympic athletes in history
2008 Gold Coast sportsperson of the year
07/08 Australian Canoeing Paddler of the year
