From medals that slipped away by mere hundredths of a second earlier this season to winning two gold medals at the World Cup in Montreal, Marko Dragosavljević has shown why he is one of the world’s best kayakers. Speaking to the RTS portal, he reflected on his journey to success, the strength of his faith, a champion’s mindset, and his hopes of winning more medals at the World Championships in Poznań at the end of August.
Together with Žarko Jakovljević in the K2 event, an Olympic discipline, Marko Dragosavljević secured Serbia’s second gold medal.
In addition to the medal, the victory brought them valuable points in the race to qualify for the Olympic Games. Thanks to that result, the Serbian duo climbed to the top of the rankings, joining the world’s best crews.
“We entered the final with the fastest time from the semifinals, which was a very good indicator. The battle for the medals was extremely close because there were many strong crews, but we knew we could compete with the best boats in the world. We executed everything tactically exactly as we had planned before the race. We entered with confidence, courage, and, with God’s help, we succeeded,” Dragosavljević told the RTS portal.
“I Told Everyone I Was Going for Another Medal”
The kayaker from Bačka Palanka admitted that before the K2 final he felt an unusual sense of calm and confidence, as well as great faith in success.
“We felt so good while paddling. Everything came so naturally. It was an incredible feeling that can’t really be described. We were confident and never doubted ourselves for a single second. Everything was calm and composed. We agreed to start strong, maintain our rhythm through the middle of the race, and give everything we had in the finish. We did everything perfectly—our paddling, technique, tactics… absolutely everything. The day itself started beautifully and nothing could throw us off. I kept telling everyone, and repeating to myself, that I was going to win another medal—and that’s exactly what happened,” Dragosavljević said.
Great professionals never allow previous success to distract them, immediately turning their attention to the next challenge. That was exactly Marko’s approach after winning gold in the K1 event.
“I won gold in the single kayak the day before, but when I woke up the next morning, I erased that day from my mind as if it had never happened. I only thought about the race ahead of me. That medal actually helped me because it gave me extra faith and confidence. I never lost the feeling that we could win again, and in the end we did,” Dragosavljević said.
One of Serbia’s most decorated kayakers and one of the greatest K1 paddlers in the country’s history had shown from the very start of the season that he was capable of winning medals. However, at the first two World Cup events in Szeged and Brandenburg in mid-May, medals slipped away by the smallest of margins, while at the European Championships in Portugal he missed out on gold by just two hundredths of a second.
As a true champion, however, he refused to let those disappointments discourage him, instead using them as additional motivation to work even harder.
“I’m sorry I didn’t win at least a bronze medal at the European Championships, either in the K1 or K4. But looking back now, I understand why it didn’t happen. If I had won there, maybe I wouldn’t have achieved these successes now. These two World Cup gold medals mean much more to me, and I wouldn’t trade them for a European Championship bronze,” Dragosavljević said.
“I Could Definitely Have Won a Third Gold”
The Serbian international was once again among the few paddlers in Montreal competing in as many as three disciplines. Besides the K1 and K2, he also competed in the K4 alongside his brother Strahinja and teammates Žarko Jakovljević and Branko Lagundžić from Šabac.
“I’m disappointed that the K4 final wasn’t held the following day because I’m convinced I could have won a third gold medal. Still, fifth place is an excellent result. The race was very close, we were in medal contention throughout, and only a little separated us from the podium. We’ll continue working together, we know what we need to improve, and I’m confident the results will come,” Dragosavljević said optimistically.
The fact that he realistically could have returned home with three gold medals only strengthened his belief that limits exist only in the mind.
“There was a time when that seemed unrealistic, but not anymore. Everything that seems impossible to man is possible with God. I truly believe in God’s intervention. When things are hardest, He lets us see how much we can endure and how we behave, but when it’s most difficult, He is always there to help and give us the wind at our backs,” Dragosavljević emphasized.
Already Focused on New Challenges
The experienced Serbian paddler competed in his ninth race of the competition in the K2 final. He admitted he was emotionally and physically tired but did everything possible to stay focused throughout the World Cup.
“After every competition I usually feel drained and exhausted, but now I have so much energy that I could repeat all the races at the same intensity. I don’t even need a break—just two or three days with my family, and then I’m ready to start preparing for the World Championships,” Dragosavljević said excitedly ahead of the remainder of the season.
Following his major success in Canada, the Serbian now turns his attention to the World Championships in Poznań. According to him, the two gold medals serve only as confirmation that he is on the right path, not as additional pressure before another major event.
“When I arrive at the World Championships, I start from zero again. I don’t want my team or myself to feel like favorites. I’d like us to compete freely and enjoy it. We’ll do our job and give everything we have, but without feeling like we have to achieve something. Because none of it matters if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing,” Dragosavljević said.
“God Has a Plan, and I Trust Him”
The Serbian kayaker believes that a calm mind, persistence, determination, and patience are the most important ingredients on the road to success.
“Right now I’m enjoying everything, and I think that’s what brings results. Whenever I competed under pressure, with too much tension and expectations beyond my reach, I failed. Patience brings salvation, and everything will come at the right time—not when we want it, but when it’s meant to. God has a plan for all of us, and I trust Him,” Dragosavljević said.
He concluded the interview with a powerful message that reflects both his mindset and his outlook on sport, life, and every challenge along the way.
“I believe God has given me exactly what I’ve earned. People have to go through many hardships, experience different paths, and endure a lot, but in the end you receive even more than you ever expected,” Serbian national team member Marko Dragosavljević concluded.
Dragosavljević Donates One Gold Medal to the Holy Trinity Church in Canada
Great champions are remembered not only for their victories but also for the gestures that reveal their values.
By deciding to donate his K1 gold medal to a place that holds special meaning for him, Marko Dragosavljević demonstrated his deep gratitude and showed how important faith is in his life.
“One gold medal will remain at the altar of the Holy Trinity Church, the only Serbian Orthodox church in this district. With the blessing of parish priest Archpriest Vladimir Vranić, our team went into the races. We were honored by this meeting and friendship. It was Marko’s decision that the K1 gold medal should remain there. Glory to God!” coach Simo Boltić wrote on Instagram.
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Source: RTS; Foto: RTS