Fox ecstatic after winning first World Cup gold since surgery

Australian kayaker Jessica Fox has achieved her first World Cup gold medal since undergoing surgery, triumphing in the women's K1 event at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czechia. The victory marks a significant milestone in her return to international competition.

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It's unbelievable. I'm so happy, so proud, so grateful for all the support and all the cheers.

Fox, a three-time Olympian, secured the top spot with a time of 108.84 seconds, finishing ahead of Poland's Klaudia Zwolińska and Slovakia's Zuzana Paňková. This win follows her silver medal performance last week in Tacen, Slovenia, which was her first international event after her surgery.

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It's always a pleasure to race here, so to come out on top is a dream.

Last year, Fox had surgery to remove a benign tumor from her left kidney. Her return to the sport and subsequent success highlight her resilience and determination. "It's unbelievable," Fox stated after her win. "I'm so happy, so proud, so grateful for all the support and all the cheers."

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It's an achievement to just be on the start line again, to feel the nerves and the energy of racing and be back with the community that I love so much.

Reflecting on her performance, Fox added, "It's an achievement to just be on the start line again, to feel the nerves and the energy of racing and be back with the community that I love so much." She noted that making the final was a goal, and achieving a podium finish last week was a bonus. "To back it up here and go one better is amazing, so I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here," she said.

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To make the final was a goal. To get on a podium was a bonus last week, and to back it up here and go one better is amazing, so I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here.