Australian Olympian Jess Fox has claimed her first medal since undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from her kidney, revealing the hard road back to the sport that she loves.
Fox has already dominated the canoeing world – her three Olympic gold medals and a raft of world championship and World Cup titles bearing testimony to that.
But never before has winning silver meant more for the golden girl of Australian canoeing.
Fox came second overnight in the women’s K1 final at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen, Slovenia, finishing only 0.13 seconds behind Slovenian gold-medal winner Eva Alina Hocevar (81.61).
It was the 31-year-old’s first race back at the World Cup and her podium finish came nine months after she underwent surgery to remove a benign tumour from her left kidney.
‘This is probably the first time a silver medal has felt like a gold medal to me,’ the four-time Olympian who won double-gold in the C1 and K1 events at the 2024 Paris Games, said.
Jess Fox won silver in Slovenia in her first World Cup event since kidney surgery
The Olympic superstar returned to competition nine months after tumour removal surgery
The four-time Olympian battled through months of rehabilitation to return to racing
‘Just getting to the start line today was the biggest challenge. To put down two solid runs – they weren’t perfect, but they were good enough – and make the final made me really happy.
‘Then to back it up with another good run in the final feels amazing. I lost a little bit of time in a couple of gates, but honestly, I can’t complain.
‘It’s my first race back. It’s just wonderful to be back racing and to start this way.’
It has been a long journey back to the sport she loves, with Fox revealing how arduous the recovery process had been on Instagram.
She outlined the slow return to the water, first paddling two months after surgery, the agony of missing a home World Championships and patiently rebuilding her strength from the ground up.
‘From surgery to the start line. Countless moments of doubt, gratitude, and growth. It’s been a lot,’ she posted.
‘Reflecting on the last nine months, I’m feeling pretty proud.
‘It hasn’t been the perfect preparation. But it’s been real, and it’s been about showing up with what I’ve got.
Fox said her comeback journey had been filled with doubt, gratitude and growth
Sister Noemie Fox hailed Jess’s resilience after her remarkable return to competition
The Olympic champion said she was grateful, humble and hungry for more success
‘Thank you to everyone who helped and supported me – mentally, physically, emotionally. So grateful for my team, family and friends and sponsors.
‘So happy to be back in Europe and excited for the season. It’s still a work in progress, managing some niggles but continuing to build towards the World Champs, and taking it step by step. I’m looking forward to feeling it all again.
‘Grateful. Curious. Humble. Hungry. Let’s go.’
Her sister Noemie Fox, also an Olympic champion, paid tribute to her sibling for her toughness.
‘Less than a year after a major surgery and collased lung and even while dealing with an injury – straight into the final,’ she posted.
‘Girl is built different.’
The Penrith superstar qualified fourth fastest with a clean run in the women’s K1 heats, before clocking 81.74 in the final.
‘I’m really happy to take this silver medal, and I’m also really stoked for Eva [Alina Hocevar]. She looked so happy after her run and she put down a fantastic performance.’
Racing continues at the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen with the men’s and women’s canoe events.
