Jan Benzien (born 22 July 1982) is a German slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 1999. Benzien started out as a C1 paddler. Since 2012 he has also been competing in C2, teaming up with Franz Anton.
He won eleven medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships with two golds (C1 team: 2006, C2: 2015), eight silvers (C1: 2002; C1 team: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013; C2 team: 2015), and a bronze (C1: 2009). He won additional 16 medals at the European Championships (3 golds, 7 silvers, and 6 bronzes).
Benzien competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the C1 event, he finished second in the qualification round, thus progressing to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Benzien finished twelfth, failing to reach the top eight and the final round. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he placed fourth in the C2 event, together with teammate Franz Anton.
Benzien serves with the German Army and has a degree in sport management from the Vocational Academy of Riesa. He is active as an entrepreneur since 2014 and, together with a co-partner, he was constructing several buildings for gastronomy and boat rental at the Leipzig City Harbour, which he has leased from the city for this purpose. The city built the harbour facilities with access to the Elstermühlgraben. The ceremonial opening of the Leipzig City Harbour took place on 5 June 2026.
He is married to the Olympic canoeist Mandy Planert; they have children, Justus Jonas and Mika.
World Cup individual podiums Total C1 2 1 4 7 C2 1 2 0 3 Total 3 3 4 10
SeasonDateVenuePositionEvent 2003 6 July 2003 La Seu d'Urgell 3rd C1 2004 30 May 2004 Merano 3rd C1 2005 17 July 2005 Augsburg 1st C1 2006 28 May 2006 Athens 3rd C1 2009 28 June 2009 Pau 1st C1 12 July 2009 Augsburg 3rd C1 2011 9 July 2011 Markkleeberg 2nd C1 2012 2 September 2012 Bratislava 1st C2 2014 8 June 2014 Lee Valley 2nd C2 17 August 2014 Augsburg 2nd C2
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