Evy Leibfarth became the first American woman to win a world championships medal in kayak slalom in 23 years, taking silver at the 2028 Olympic venue in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
“It’s incredible to be here in front of a home crowd and on my home course, it’s crazy,” Leibfarth said.
Leibfarth, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist in canoe slalom, was runner-up to three-time Olympic gold medalist Jessica Fox of Australia.
Fox won her 17th world title between individual and team events, less than a year after having a kidney tumor removed.
“I didn’t know if I’d get back here (on top of the podium),” said Fox, who earlier this week won titles in the kayak team event and in kayak cross. “I just wanted to get back into the sunshine, get back on the water, get back to doing things I love.”
Leibfarth became the first American woman to win a world medal in kayak slalom since Rebecca Giddens, a bronze medalist in 2003 and world champion in 2002.
Michal Smolen took bronze in the men’s event in 2015.
Leibfarth previously won a World Championships bronze medal in 2021 in kayak cross, a discipline that made its Olympic debut in 2024.
The World Canoe Slalom Championships continue through Saturday, streaming live on Peacock.
