Toth's dedication to race walking paid off when he won a gold medal in the 50km walk at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This achievement marked him as the first athletics competitor representing Slovakia to win a medal in the sport at the Olympics. He also became the first male athlete from Slovakia to compete in athletics at four Olympic Games editions.

In 2015, Toth made history again by winning a gold medal in the 50km walk at the World Championships in Beijing. This victory marked Slovakia's first medal in athletics at the world championships.

Personal Life and Education

Toth resides in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, with his wife Lenka Tothova Korcokova and their two daughters, Emma and Nina. He is fluent in English and Slovak. Toth holds a degree in Journalism from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra.

Challenges and Injuries

Toth faced several challenges throughout his career. He suffered a hamstring injury after competing in the 50km walk at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin. In early 2016, he dealt with an injury to his tibia.

Suspension and Comeback

In July 2017, Toth was provisionally suspended due to anomalies detected in his athlete biological passport. These anomalies were later attributed to a low haemoglobin level. After an investigation, he was cleared of any wrongdoing by October 2017 and returned to competitive action in January 2018.

Influences and Philosophy

Toth credits his family as the most influential people in his career. His sporting idols include Slovakian race walker Jozef Pribilinec and Polish race walker Robert Korzeniowski. His sporting philosophy is simple: "When they tell you how good and successful you are and you believe it, then it's over for you."

Awards and Honours

Toth has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was named Athlete of the Year by the Slovak Athletic Federation multiple times between 2006 and 2018. In 2016, he received the Sports Editors' Sportsperson of the Year award in Slovakia and the Golden Rings Award from the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee.

Community Engagement

After his success at the 2016 Olympics, Toth launched the O2 Matej Toth Sports Academy to encourage children to get involved in sports. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the academy produced online exercise videos that garnered almost one million unique views.

Future Plans

Toth aims to defend his 2016 Olympic gold medal at future competitions. His commitment to race walking continues to inspire many young athletes in Slovakia and beyond.

Matej Toth's journey is a testament to perseverance and dedication. His achievements have not only brought pride to Slovakia but have also set a benchmark for future athletes.